Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed finishing outside the top four is not “disastrous” as Gunners look set to finish fifth in the Premier League
ARSENE WENGER believes finishing outside the top four is not disastrous, and will not affect the club’s transfer activity.
Arsenal look set to finish outside the Champions League places for the first time in his reign managing the North London club.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes finishing outside the top four will not be as bad as it seemsPA:Press AssociationThe Gunners have endured a difficult Premier League season, but beat Stoke City 4-1 at the bet365 Stadium on SaturdayRex Features
The Gunners are hoping Liverpool or Manchester City slip up in the final game of the season, and know they will have to win their last two games to have any hope of pipping their rivals.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s match with Sunderland, he said: “I started the season wanting to win the [title]. If you don’t you are not satisfied.
“But [finishing outside the top four] it’s not disastrous. It’s difficult for everybody [in this league].
“Seventy-five points is a decent total – I won the Championship with 78.
The 67-year-old waves to the travelling Arsenal fans as a brace from Olivier Giroud and strikes from Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez sealed the winGetty Images
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A plane was chartered to fly the “Wenger Out” message above the stadium on the weekendReuters
“We basically had two leagues, the top six and the rest. Teams took points, that didn’t happen before.”
He also added he doesn’t believe finishing in the top four will not prove to be vital for obtaining their top transfer priorities – Arsenal have already nabbed left-back Sead Kolasinac from Schalke.
Wenger added: “I don’t think finishing outside the top four will influence how the club will operate in the transfer market.
“If we finish outside the top four it will be one point.
“It will be difficult to swallow but it won’t completely change the judgement of the team."
Arsenal are currently in fifth place in the Premier League, three points behind the Citizens, and trail the Reds by four points, though they do have a game in hand over Jurgen Klopp's men.
A minority of fans continue to voice their opinion towards Wenger, with a plane flying over the bet365 Stadium calling for the 67-year-old to leave during the 4-1 win over Stoke City.
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