Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits to pressure ahead of Everton match
Sunday 1 March 2015 11:03, UK
Arsene Wenger admits he is under just as much pressure as any other Premier League manager.
The Arsenal manager has again found his position called into question after Wednesday night's 3-1 home defeat by Monaco in the Champions League.
Wenger, though, rejects suggestions he is too comfortable at the Emirates Stadium, having presided over his 1,000th match in charge last season and then signed a contract extension following the FA Cup triumph at Wembley.
"I have exactly the same pressure (as other managers). I want to win football games and it is a huge disappointment not to win it, but that is also part of the game," said Wenger, whose side tackle Everton on Sunday looking to retain third place in the Premier League.
"It is true that in the last four years we have not progressed (into the Champions League quarter-finals) and that is why this result on Wednesday is so disappointing.
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"Everything went against us as well on the night - and after that you get always slaughtered, that is part of it."
The Frenchman refused to single out anyone for blame but warned his players will not get selected if they are not prepared to put in a defensive shift for the good of the team.
"Offensively we have lots of solutions. We have to find a team balance. It is more about team balance than any individual," the Arsenal manager said.
"When you have the ball in the modern game you have to attack, when you don't have the ball you have to defend. All the players who can't do that, cannot play."
During his impromptu television appearance on Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday a week ago, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho expressed his surprise as to why Arsenal had not been able to sustain a title challenge this season.
Wenger, though, believes there is plenty of life left in the campaign yet.
"Leave Mourinho (comments) out of here, it would be much better," he said. "Let's wait until the end of the season, we have 48 points today. We will see at the end of the season.
"We have massive games in front of us and we have played two times away from home more than at home (in the Premier League), so the way we play at home is vital.
"The reactions today are always very emotional, but life is not always on a high.
"You have to go through lows and highs, and at the end of the day it is about how consistent you have been in response to disappointments that makes your life."
