Wenger: We’re going through a results crisis

ARSENE WENGER has admitted Arsenal are in a “results crisis” as they struggle to keep pace with Chelsea.

However, he insisted his players would again show strength in adversity as he warned Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that he still had to cope with a dip in his own side's form.

Arsenal have won just one of their past eight Premiership and Champions League games and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past 12 games. Indeed, they could even take on Birmingham tomorrow with a deficit of eight points if Chelsea beat.

Newcastle in an early kick-off.

"Results-wise, from what we expected, it is a crisis as we didn't expect to drop as many points as we have done recently. We cannot deny that," admitted Wenger.

"The spirit, morale and desire are high, but we have dropped our confidence level a bit. Four weeks ago, everyone said we were 'invincible' and now, suddenly, we are 'useless'. But sport isn't like that.

"If we're capable of going on a run four weeks ago, why aren't we capable of doing it now? We can't deny we are not winning and you can't say everything is perfect. We have problems as we're not as efficient as we were but the players haven't lost their ability. It's down to how much we want to get it right again."

Wenger nevertheless insists Arsenal have seen it all before. After all, last season they were trailing Manchester United at this stage of the season.

And in the double-winning seasons of 1998-99 and 2001-02, they had to embark on incredible new year surges to come from behind.

"I'm very confident in the desire and hunger of this team. In every season we've been successful, we've gone through periods like this and we've always come back. These players care, they are hungry for success and I respect them for that. They want to be the best and, in periods like this, you need to help each other even more than usual. In every difficult period, you find out how strong you are, but I have no doubts that my players will show that. We must play our usual football and not worry too much."

While Wenger respects the advances made by Chelsea, he could not resist a warning to Mourinho that he has yet to handle a dip in form at Stamford Bridge.

"You would prefer to be in Chelsea's situation as they are winning, but it's not dramatic. They will have a difficult period as well. They could have lost against Fulham," he said.

"But they are not our worry, that is Arsenal. Why should I be concerned about Chelsea? If we don't win our games, it's about us."

Wenger's problem is that his injury list is growing, with Robin van Persie and Jermaine Pennant having now joined Dennis Bergkamp, Gilberto Silva, Edu and Pascal Cygan on the sidelines.

Patrick Vieira, meanwhile, will be suspended for next weekend's clash against Chelsea, as well as missing the midweek Champions League tie against Rosenborg along with Lauren.

Wenger added: "We're in a period where we're a bit less strong and we have to consider that what happened last season (going unbeaten through the league) was an exception.

"We have lost eight points in the last 10 minutes and have conceded half of our goals on set-pieces. I feel we're much stronger on set-pieces now but for a while, we lost some of our basics as it was all easy. Now we must come back to what we're strong at.

"We must go back to basics. You have to defend well and attack well. For a while, maybe we didn't defend well enough."

Wenger also warned Edu that he must sign a new Arsenal contract by January or risk facing five months on the sidelines as the Gunners boss will sign a replacement.

If Edu then agrees a pre-contract with another club, that could result in him being left out of the Arsenal starting line-up as Sylvain Wiltord found to his cost last season.

Wenger declared: "It's up to Edu. If he doesn't sign a new deal, we will buy someone else. It's as simple as that. He has an offer from us. If he doesn't take up that offer, we have to consider the situation is not in our hands any more. He can sign anywhere else on January 2, so he has much to consider. Once someone has signed for someone else, it's difficult to be completely orientated and committed to his club. You might worry about getting injured. That's why I'm not convinced this rule is right.

"Basically, it denies the guy to fulfil his complete contract until the end."

Wenger added: "He has an offer from us that shows we want to keep him. But I can accept it if that isn't good enough and he feels he can get more somewhere else.

"I'm not surprised as he's a great player. He's a professional footballer and, if he can get a better offer, then he has to consider that. But we must consider what is in the best interests of the club. We have a wage scale here that must be respected.

"We would buy someone experienced who would be available straight away as we already have Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini."

Wenger denied an interest in River Plate midfielder Javier Mascherano, while he played down the prospects of re-signing Emmanuel Petit despite earlier indications to the contrary.