Arsene Wenger has conceded
that this season has been the most disappointing in his time as
manager of Arsenal.
The French tactician is in the enviable position of being almost
untouchable in terms of his position, given the success he has
brought to North London in the past, but he admits that this term
has been a major failure.
Being way off the pace in the league and eliminated from the UEFA
Champions League to a mediocre PSV Eindhoven, was softened little
by reaching the Carling Cup final given they lost 2-1 to
Chelsea.
Prior to last season, when Arsenal ended up in fourth but reached
the European Cup final, Wenger had never previously finished
outside of the top two in eight Premiership campaigns.
Wenger has, though, been credited with sowing the seeds for a
potentially great side, given the extent of young talent he has
exposed to top level football this season, and it is this factor
that he is keen to build on.
"If you analyse the season, I would say this has been my worst
season here," he told the Sun.
"We are 25 points behind Manchester United, so I cannot say I did
everything perfectly.
"I have to stand up first to say I am responsible for the fact that
we didnÂ’t fight for the title.
"The only thing I can say is that I was more committed and worked
harder than ever this year.
"But still I have to put my hands up for what I call a
failure.
"Yet there have been some exceptional moments of quality. I am
proud of the convincing way my young players performed in the
Carling Cup final.
"This is a very young side. We have shown some quality football
that nobody else has shown. That tells you about the potential
here."