Arsene Wenger: Arsenal Reaching Top Four In Premier League ‘Not As Easy As It Looks’

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said in a press conference Monday that his team’s struggles this season demonstrate that finishing in the top four of the Premier League is “not as easy as it looks.”

Arsene Wenger Says Arsenal Reaching Premier League Top Four Is Hard

During his 21 years as manager, the Frenchman has led the Gunners to a top-four spot as well as UEFA Champions League qualification.

This year, however, Arsenal are in sixth place and have ten games remaining. They are seven points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

“It [finishing in the top four] is a good challenge but I think it is perfectly possible,” said Wenger.

“I have done it for 20 years and it looked always like nothing. Suddenly, it becomes important so I’m quite pleased people realise that it is not as easy as it looks.”

The Gunners next host West Ham on Wednesday, and two of their players are set to miss that game: defender Laurent Koscielny, who suffered an Achilles injury on Sunday, and Czech goalie Petr Cech.

James Olley of the Evening Standard reported the injury news:

Wenger compared placing in the top four to winning a trophy back in 2012, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola agreed with that sentiment.

“If you listen to Guardiola, he said the other day that to finish in the top four in England is a trophy because it is so difficult,” Wenger added.

Wenger’s contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season, and there has recently been much speculation as to whether he will renew his deal or be replaced. One rumored successor is another Frenchman, former Arsenal star Thierry Henry, who is now an assistant coach for Belgium’s national team, although Henry has said he does not know for sure how likely it is at this point that he could become the team’s manager.

When asked at the press conference if he was planning on staying in charge of Arsenal after being offered a new two-year deal, Wenger said he would make his decision public “soon.”

Arsenal have allowed 54 goals this season, better only than Hull City and Swansea City.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team’s first goal in the stand during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Hull City at Emirates Stadium on February 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)