In less than three months, Arsenal have gone from fighting for the league title, to securing a place in next season’s Champions League. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed that indeed, the Gunners were eyeing a Champions League spot this season after the disappointing draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, a result that cast a dark shadow over their title hopes this season.
Yannick Bolasie’s late finish cancelled Alexis Sanchez’s opener for the hosts, hence ensuring that the two sides shared one point each.
As a result, the North Londoners will now have to set their eyes on fighting for their 20th consecutive top-four finish, with the battle for the league title seemingly locked between two teams; Leicester City and Totteham Hotspur. To make things even worse for the Gunners, the French tactician also insisted that following the one-all draw on Sunday, the top four spot is also not a guarantee.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Wenger said:
''Honestly, after the game (against Palace) I'm not in that kind of mood to dream about the championship
''I am more in the kind of mood to repair the mental damage and prepare for the next game (on Thursday against West Brom).
''It's much more about that and to look behind us, because everybody is playing well and winning games. For us it could be a fight until the end to get the place in the top four.
He added:
''If we can do more, we will do more, but let's not dream and focus on the next game.
''The lack of incision to find a second goal left Wenger with a feeling of frustration. I'm very, very disappointed.
''You have to sometimes win one nil and this was one of these days. We had 70 per cent time with the ball and we didn't make enough of it.
''We gave a goal away that was avoidable. That's the regret of the day.''
The Gunners host West Brom at the Emirates Stadium in their next Premier League fixture.
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