Arsene Wenger has hailed the character in his team ahead of tonight’s game against Man City, and says that the fixture against Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be another chance to show that in the Premier League.
The Frenchman believes that consistency over the course of the season is the best measure of that quality in a team, and with Arsenal currently 5 points behind leaders Leicester, tonight is a chance to close that gap on this season’s surprise package.
He points to the game at the King Power Stadium in September as evidence that his players are up for the title fight. Despite going behind to a hot-shot Jamie Vardy goal, the Gunners reacted strongly and ended up 5-2 winners with Alexis Sanchez nabbing a hat-trick.
“We are the only team who has beaten Leicester basically, and in a convincing way,” said Wenger.
“The character is down to consistency in life. That’s what I call character. All of us can be for one day in our life exceptional but character is to have a target and maintain your focus on that target.
“That’s what I call character and that’s what we have to show in the league.”
Tonight’s game against City will be a real test of Arsenal’s title credentials, coming up against the most expensively assembled squad in the league, with Wenger hoping his team can show their mettle.
“What I feel is great team spirit and great unity in the dressing room, and a focus to go forward, that’s for sure,” he said.
“After that, we have to answer on the pitch whether we are good enough.”
Tonight will be a real test of that. Fingers crossed.
We will beat them! This is our year!
of course it is!
Somehow this doesn’t feel like the toughest game we have played all season or on the horizon. Maybe that’s the effect of playing and winning against Bayern or the challenge of facing Barca or that we won the must win game away at Olympiacos convincingly. I’m not saying it will be easy tonight or not as important as the European adventures. I’m saying all the challenges we have faced till now including beating the current leaders Leicester, it’s not the pants taining clash like previous seasons. Instead in looking forward to what should be an interesting match with a lot… Read more »
The Deluded Brendan page has made it difficult to take any headline with the word ‘Character’ seriously.
Btw, Ozil thinks we will take 3 points off city today. This should be a brilliant game of football as well.
“Character is down to consistency in life. All of us can be exceptional for one day.” Nice parting shot at Mourinho! ?
That’s what I thought as well. Mourinho is indeed #thesackedone
I love the atmosphere around the club. Positive vibes all through. Lets go all the way boys! COYRRG
I see ARSENAL winning 3:1 though I’d love a Cech clean sheet.
There certainly won’t be any clean sheets in my bedroom if we win. I’ve already pre-warned the mrs.
We’re in the better position. I think we should play it safe. I wouldn’t mind a draw if we can’t break the deadlock. Let’s not forget that there’s the dreaded Christmas and boxing day period right afterwards.
UP THE ARSE!
Now’s the time to shine boys! Prove the whole world that you are the ones to beat this year!! And leave those plastic cunts 4 points behind! Let them sweat their nuts!!!
I actually don’t think tonight’s game is that important. With just a point between us and City, a win either way will not decide the title. And with every top-half side routinely dropping points against the weaker teams, any gap that opens can soon be quickly closed. The title will go to either us or City. United are rubbish, Spuds don’t score enough goals and Leicester will run out of steam in the New Year. But sadly, given our propensity to fall apart when the going gets tough in spring, Pelligrini’s boys will probably be the ones lifting that beautiful… Read more »
Disagree. Hoping Leicester would slip up, will it be or not, is quite naive. Because I think once one take that mentality, there will be a subconscious thought that we can afford to lose points. We all know that this season is one of the most unpredictable, so why be a factor of it? Why don’t perform in a constant way of winning and brought ourself out of this unpredictability?
Wow. Are you really a Gooner? It’s so hard to believe you are, based on all the negativity you rain down on the team. I don’t know if you have dreams of becoming a British pundit and therefore you are honing your negative views on Arsenal as much as possible. Again, I am not trying to pick on you, but you just seem to revel in putting Arsenal down as much as you can. I understand the desire to be critical, or view things honestly, but your views are just so one-sided for the negative.
Not sure you’ve said anything controversial here – people seem to thumb you down as a matter of course. Only slight disagreement i have is your playing down of the importance of tonight. It’s a huge game between the two favourites for the title. A win opens up a psychological gap that we can capitalise on. UTA
I thumbed down only because I disagree. I think the mentality and the experience of the team is different this year, so I don’t believe that our past “propensity to fall apart” (that I can’t deny) is a fatality. I beleive this team has what it takes to go all the way.
Even it is going to be tough.
“given our propensity to fall apart when the going gets tough in spring”
what you on about?
we’ve had some of the greatest escapes in the 2nd half of the season. (spurs 10 points clear of us in february a few years back haha)
falling off in the 2nd half of the season is the exception but usually in the latter half wenger has his teams playing brilliantly and better than the first half.
its a six pointer with manchester city how deluded are you about the importance of this game
Considering we have to play city, liverpool, spuds, manure, everton away, we’ll regret dropping points aganist Norwich and West brom. Anything less than a win will be bad. Still not seeing us winning the league though. Injuries and inconsistencies will be the reasons unfortunately.
Great header, Arsene!
Lets have a go and close the gap look city are third arsenal fc goal difference look gd, just watch sterling he likes pace haha coyg.