Arsene Wenger believes his players' mental strength will be crucial in determining whether Arsenal can finish the season strongly, according to an interview with Capital FM.
Arsenal will host West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, aiming to solidify their grip on third place in the Premier League. This match comes after a significant FA Cup win at Manchester United, setting up a semi-final against either Reading or Bradford.
Upcoming Challenges ¶
The team also faces a challenging Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Monaco next week, where they must overcome a 3-1 deficit. Success in retaining the Cup and finishing in the top four would build on last season's achievements, including the FA Cup final triumph over Hull that ended a nine-year trophy drought.
However, failure to meet these goals could lead to renewed criticism of Wenger. The manager acknowledges the increased pressure but emphasizes the importance of individual player responsibility.
"We can only help so much, 99 per cent is down to the individual," Wenger said. "We can push them over the line with the one per cent we can give, but 99 per cent is them having the responsibility to make their own life. "You have to stand up to be strong enough, to fight, to show that you have the courage and that you’re not inhibited because you’re under pressure, and that’s the difficulty of the modern player."
Wenger noted that the analysis and scrutiny of every aspect of a player's performance have increased significantly, making it more challenging for them to cope with stress and pressure.
Team Selection and Injuries ¶
Despite the looming Monaco match, Wenger stated that his team selection against West Ham will not be influenced by the upcoming Champions League tie, considering instead the physical condition of his players after a series of demanding matches.
West Ham, meanwhile, is likely to miss striker Enner Valencia due to an injury sustained in a home accident. Manager Sam Allardyce expressed concern over the loss, given the team's limited striker options. Centre-back Winston Reid is out with a hamstring issue, but Alex Song is expected to be fit to play against his former club.
Allardyce acknowledged the difficulty of playing at the Emirates but expressed determination to secure a positive result, drawing inspiration from their past performances against top teams like Chelsea.
