Wenger: Let’s be humble
The Gunners endured a poor start to the season and were thrashed 8-2 by Manchester United in late August.
Arsenal have responded well to their humbling and have now won five of their last seven league matches, including a 5-3 defeat of Chelsea last weekend.
Next up is West Brom today and Wenger is keen his side focus on progression rather than immediate glory.
“It is too early to say we can get back in the title race,” he said. “If we win a few more games, why not?
“But, at the moment, I don’t think we are far along enough to say that.
“We are only three points behind Chelsea but we need a strong period and Man City needs a weaker period, which they are not having.
“I think at the moment it is too far to say we are playing for the championship but we are back in a position where we can aspire to be in the top four and we weren’t four weeks ago.
“Mathematically we are not out of it but we are 12 points behind Man City and it is too much.
“For us, let’s be humble and progressive.”
Wenger believes league leaders Manchester City are the team to beat this season but remains unsure as to whether they are the real deal.
“I don’t really know [what to think of them],” he said. “They have had some impressive away results, especially at Tottenham and Man United, but we have to see.
“The potential is there but we will see over a longer period.
“If they are still with that [points] difference in December then we can say it will be difficult to catch them.
While the Arsenal boss was quick to praise Roberto Mancini’s side, he dismissed comparisons with Barcelona.
“The minimum you can say it is a bit early,” he said.
“Barcelona have two European Cups in three years, have won the championship and beaten everybody.
“Man City will aspire to be that but, at the moment, they are still some way from doing that.”
West Brom manager Roy believes the Gunners have started to overcome the summer loss of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
He witnessed at first hand their stunning 5-3 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a Robin van Persie hat-trick, and knows Albion will have to improve on last weekend’s performance against Liverpool to have any chance of repeating last season’s 3-2 win at Arsenal.
Hodgson said: “Are Arsenal back? Have they ever been away? Where did they go? There was all the stuff about Arsene being under the spotlight and pressure.
“I think all managers at this level will accept they come under the spotlight and pressure if your team isn’t winning as many games as people would like to see you win.
“But I would find it very hard to believe if Arsenal FC were considering Wenger’s future because for the last 15 years he has done a fantastic job.
“He has made that club stronger and stronger, richer and richer. His list of achievements just goes on and on.”
Hodgson is hoping Albion can cause problems for the Gunners defence, but knows they will have to be at their best to halt their attacking threat.
He said: “Like all teams that are very good going forward they are going to give us a chance, one hopes on the counter-attack.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
