Arsene Wenger rallies beleaguered Arsenal squad: Now is the time to show we're ready for the fight
Arsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal players to “show they are ready for a fight” ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in December.
A series of injuries to key men Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin has left the Arsenal squad stretched to its limits ahead of Saturday’s match at home to Sunderland.
The visit of Sam Allardyce’s in-form side begins a month of games that could define the north London side’s success at home and in Europe. It begins with Tuesday’s trip to Olympiakos, where Arsenal must win 3-2 or better to qualify for the knockout stages.
Ahead of the busy festive period of league matches Wenger has called on his remaining players, including returning starters Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott, to rise to the challenge and keep Arsenal in title contention.
"The great opportunity for us is that, despite that bad spell, we are very close."
Arsene Wenger
He told the club website: "[I'm glad November is over] because in the last couple of weeks we lost Francis, Alexis and Santi - basically three players in two games. That is of course too much, but hopefully we now have Theo not too far away, and Koscielny coming back too.
"I believe first of all it’s always a disappointment to lose the players at an important moment of the season. But on the other hand, it’s a great challenge to take for the team and a great opportunity to show that we are ready for a fight and we can deal with it.
"We prepared ourselves to go through periods like that, and I'm convinced the players are ready."
Wenger was unable to confirm when Sanchez and Cazorla, both of whom picked up injuries in Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Norwich, would return to first-team contention amid reports that the latter could be out for at least three months.
Despite a month in which Arsenal claimed just two points from three league games they remain a mere two points behind Manchester City and Leicester City in a Premier League campaign that has not yet seen a side hammer their advantage home.
"We have gone through a little bit of a bad spell in recent games, but we are two points off the top," said Wenger.
"The great opportunity for us is that, despite that bad spell, we are very close. That’s why it’s important that we keep our confidence high and our determination high, and start winning again. We want the crowd to be behind the team and help us to do it."
ArticleNow is the time to show we're ready for the fight - WengerArsene WengerArsenalAlexis SanchezSanti CazorlaTheo WalcottFrancis CoquelinLaurent KoscielnyArsene Wenger rallies beleaguered Arsenal squad: Now is the time to show we're ready for the fightArsenal vs Sunderland team news: Theo Walcott in line for Gunners return alongside Laurent KoscielnyPublishedImageMedium width4Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 16:19Turning it round: Arsenal had a disastrous November on the pitchOn