Next two weeks are make-or-break for Gunners’ season, says Wenger
Wenger's team head to Premiership strugglers Southampton at lunchtime today out to make amends for their 3-1 horror defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
With the former Premiership leaders also 11 points adrift of Chelsea and behind Manchester United, victory at St Mary's with what will be a depleted squad is a must.
An FA Cup 5th-round replay at Sheffield United on Tuesday will also be tackled without suspended duo Dennis Bergkamp and Jose Antonio Reyes, as well as centre-back Sol Campbell while the Gunners are awaiting the results of a scan on Edu's hamstring to discover how long they will be without the Brazilian midfielder. By the time Bayern come to Highbury on March 9, Arsenal will also have met Portsmouth in the Premiership and Wenger is in no doubt about the importance of the next fortnight.
"I see this as a challenge, because the next two weeks will decide our season," said the Frenchman. "It's very important that we give a great response to Bayern. We are very disappointed with our performance on Tuesday. The only positive thing is that it could have been 4-0 and it is 3-1 3-1 is basically like losing 1-0, because if you win 2-0 you qualify. This goal can transform our destiny."
Wenger maintains no English club has a divine right to win in Europe and believes it is a "miracle" Arsenal manage to consistently qualify for the Champions League.
Despite the world-class talent on display in the English top flight, no English side has made the Champions League final since Manchester United six years ago.
"I don't know where this English superiority complex comes from, that in the European Cup we have just to turn up and win," said Wenger.
"Bayern Munich have won the European Cup four times, and Arsenal zero. Where have Arsenal won anything in Europe? The Cup Winners' Cup or the UEFA Cup but that's not the champions' cup.
"What right do we have to walk out and say we have to win in the European Cup against Bayern Munich?
"People say they are not as strong this time around but they are the leaders of the Bundesliga. You cannot be weak to be top of the German League. It is a strong championship.
"We have a chance, that is true, but it is not a scandal that we don't win the Champions League."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
