Wenger – Team’s belief was hit

Wenger: Gunners boss pleased with Arsenal attitude

Arsene Wenger feels Arsenal’s season unravelled as they lacked belief following their Carling Cup defeat by Birmingham.

The Gunners had been chasing glory on four fronts before suffering that 2-1 upset at Wembley.

Wenger’s men were then dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Barcelona and the FA Cup by Manchester United, before their Premier League title challenge faltered in recent weeks, leaving Chelsea to battle it out with league leaders United.

Wenger has been forced to defend the character of his young side, with some labelling them ‘chokers’ as the Gunners’ hopes of a first trophy since 2005 evaporated.

But the French boss admits the disappointment of the defensive mix-up that gifted Birmingham a last-minute winner has played on his players’ minds.

“I feel the team gave a lot in the last two months,” he said.

“Since we lost in the Carling Cup, everything has turned a little bit against us.

“When we were on all fronts, this team had fought very well. I just feel that after the Carling Cup we continued to be absolutely spot on with our attitude.

Subconscious belief

“But we missed a little bit of that subconscious belief which makes you win. That frustrates you because you know that it is there and you want to fight against it.”

Arsenal had been on a 16-match unbeaten run in the Premier League before losing 2-1 at Bolton last Sunday.

But a series of draws had left the Gunners clinging on to their title hopes and Wenger is frustrated because he knows his side would still be firmly in contention had they not dropped those points.

“If you look at all the numbers, it is the closest we have been,” he added.

“The most important (trophy) above all for me is the league – and this year we had the quality to win it.”

With four games left, Arsenal are nine points adrift of United, who they host at the Emirates on Sunday.