Arsene Wenger dispels criticism from Alexis Sanchez
Saturday 5 March 2016 08:56, UK
Arsene Wenger believes his squad need to raise their game by two per cent if they are to prove Alexis Sanchez wrong by becoming champions.
The Chile forward said a lack of hunger and a lack of self-belief was to blame for the Gunners faltering in their Premier League title bid by losing their last three games.
However, in the build-up to Saturday lunchtime's north London derby against second-placed Tottenham, Wenger said his players are getting "98 per cent of things right."
Sanchez spoke out in an interview with DirecTV following his team's 2-1 loss to Swansea at the Emirates on Wednesday.
He said: "Sometimes we lack this hunger to believe that we can be champions. To go out on to the pitch feeling that we are already winning 1-0."
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We do 98 per cent of things right and we have to add the two per cent of things.
Sanchez himself hit the woodwork twice as Arsenal failed to build on an opening goal by Joel Campbell and then saw Swansea score through Wayne Routledge and Ashley Williams.
"You have to take these comments a bit into perspective," Wenger said at a press conference on Friday.
"I think that's always what's coming out. I believe that belief comes with the last results that you have made. Maybe our confidence has been a bit jaded but it's like always in football.
"We do 98 per cent of things right and we have to add the two per cent of things that are down to maybe finding back our collective qualities and even put more effort in.
"I don't see that [a lack of belief]. I feel a massive disappointment after Wednesday's game."
Arsenal have not lost four games in a row since 2002, when a late goal from Wayne Rooney saw Everton start that winless run.
Against Spurs they will be without injured goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender Laurent Koscielny (both calf injuries).
