Wenger: ‘crazy’ to rule Gunners out of title race

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger maintains it would be “crazy” not to believe his men can still win the Barclays Premier League title.

The Gunners head to Bolton’s Reebok Stadium today in their worst run of form for nine seasons, having taken only four points from a possible 15.

That dismal run has seen Arsenal drop off the top of the table with both Manchester United and Chelsea overtaking them.

Although they now trail champions United by six points and Chelsea by one following last weekend’s defeat at Stamford Bridge, given there are still key fixtures between the top three to come next month, Wenger insists his side remain in the hunt, if perhaps not as confident as they once were.

“Not to believe it now would be crazy,” the Arsenal manager declared.

“That would be a shame because we have worked so hard and fought so hard.

“However, the belief is maybe less strong than when we were five points ahead.”

Wenger added: “Certainly now we cannot drop any points in the direct game with Manchester United. We are in a situation where we have to win that.

“But before dreaming of the title, we have to show we can be consistent again and win games.”

Arsenal’s poor form has coincided with a barren run for leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togo frontman, 24, has found the net only once in the past eight games — and that was a late strike in the 2-0 Champions League win over AC Milan in the San Siro.

Adebayor has started all but three of Arsenal’s Premier League games this season, and previously scored in nine consecutive appearances.

However, Wenger feels the 23-goal African has become “a bit jaded”, and could be set to rest him for the trip to Bolton so he is “refreshed” for the Champions League clash with Liverpool next week.

“He did not score recently because as a team we have made less chances, and also physically he was a bit jaded because he has played in nearly every single game since the start of the season,” said Wenger.

“I have (Nicklas) Bendtner there, I have (Robin) van Persie coming back, but Adebayor is an important player in our squad.”

The significance of securing victory today is not lost on the Arsenal manager.

“We know for us it is a massive game,” said Wenger. “People talk about the Champions League, but it is better you go into the Champions League if you have won the game before than to have had a disappointing result.

“We are tough enough mentally, but when you are so close to the end and things go against you one week after the next, at some stage you have to win again, or that mental strength will go.

“We had a massive disappointment after the Chelsea game, but the fact that the players all went away with internationals will have refreshed them.