Arsene Wenger hints title race is already over

Arsene Wenger might just have made a premature expression of pessimism

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given a hint that his side’s title challenge is already over after yesterday’s defeat at the hands of Swansea City.

The Gunners led in the 63rd minute thanks to a strike by Alexis Sanchez but were pegged back by 2 goals in 3 minutes as the Welsh side overturned the result thanks to Gary Monk’s inspired substitutions in the second half. The defeat leaves Arsenal 12 points behind league leaders Chelsea after having played just 11 games.

Wenger said in the post-match interview that for a side to challenge for the title, such games should be won.

"We just lost a game that we should not have lost. We have to live in a realistic world, in football you have to win the games you can win and today was one. If you want to challenge for the Premier League, you have to be a bit more realistic than we were today."

“I think it’s difficult to explain how we lost the lead as we were in control and they didn’t give up. I thought we lost some decisive challenges in the middle of the park in the last 20 minutes and we paid for that, and that’s where we lost the battle.”

Choking up in the last stages of matches is increasingly appearing to be the trend for Arsenal, who would have broken into the top 4 had they managed to hold on to their lead.

“In the end we lost the three points, that’s very sad, very disappointing, but we have to take it on the chin because we didn’t play for 90 minutes with the right rigorous attitude”, said Arsene Wenger.

“There is nobody capable of challenging Chelsea”: Arsene Wenger

The defeat against Swansea is only Arsenal’s second loss this season, but despite that they are some way behind Chelsea as they have drawn a lot of games. Wenger’s side have recorded just 4 wins in the League so far out of 11 games and have drawn 5; the most after Sunderland.

Wenger was forced to concede, “At the moment Chelsea are on course for 100 points this season. If you look at the number of points they have, if they keep that up nobody will catch them, that’s for sure.”

On asked why there was such a gap between the two London clubs, Wenger said, “There is no obvious reason. They had a good start, and we have gone through that (in the past), as long as you don’t lose, you don’t question yourself, there is a little bit extra spirit in the team that, when it is tight, gets them through.”