Wenger’s rallying call

Sunday, 19/02/2012

Arsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal players to stand up and be counted after they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Sunderland.

The 2-0 defeat means that the Gunners are highly unlikely to pick up silverware this season, leaving them with a seven year trophy blank.

Their chances of winning the Premier League are wafer thin and they would have to pull back a 4-0 first leg defeat to AC Milan to progress in the Champions League.

"It's very difficult tonight to say where it leaves us and what we will do, let's focus to finish well in the championship and fight as well, even if it's a small possibility, in the Champions League," said Wenger.

Wenger, who slammed his players for their terrible defeat in Italy this week, added: "We have to take the criticism on board, stay together and face the critics.

"The only response in our job is to stay united and fight and focus on the next game."

Wenger came in for massive criticism following his side's terrible start to the season but regained some faith with the fans as the Gunners fought their way back up the Premier League table.

His leadership is almost certain to be scrutinised yet again, with question marks put against his reluctance to spend big on experienced players.

Arsenal have not recovered from losing key players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri at the start of the season. They have also been hit by injury problems in their defence.

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