Arsene Wenger has admitted
that Arsenal's season has been a 'failure'.
The Gunners managed to reach the final of the Carling Cup without
many of their star names but flattered to deceive in the FA Cup and
UEFA Champions League and did not last the pace in the Premiership
title race.
Wenger believes the future is bright for his young squad but
concedes it has been a largely disappointing campaign.
"We are 22 points behind the leader, so I cannot say I did
everything perfectly," he explained.
"I have to stand up first to say I am responsible for the fact that
we did not fight for the championship.
"The only thing I can say is that I was more committed and worked
harder than ever this year - but still I have to stand up for what
I call a failure."
Asked if this campaign ranked as his worst, the Arsenal manager
reflected: "If you analyse the season globally I would say yes -
but as well there are some exceptional moments of quality.
"The players went with a convincing way in the Carling Cup final
and we have shown some quality football which nobody else has
shown. That tells you about the potential of the team."
Arsenal can snatch third place with victory over Portsmouth in
their final game of the season, and Wenger feels it is also
important to get a good result so that everyone at the club can
look forward with confidence.
"It is more psychological than real because it does not change
anything apart from the pride we want to feel about finishing above
Liverpool," he said.
Wenger is currently looking to appoint a director of football at
Arsenal following the departure of David Dein, but insists he will
not be rushed into filling the vacancy.
Monaco general manager Henri Biancheri, assistant Lyon coach Remi
Garde and Reading's Nicky Hammond are among those to have been
linked with the position, which is being plugged at the moment by
director Ken Friar.
Wenger said: "I am not closer to it. Now Ken Friar is helping me
out and it will go on until July like that and then we will
see.
"In the middle of the transfer market now it is very difficult to
appoint somebody.
"I was thinking at first to do it as quickly as possible and then I
started to get phone calls from everywhere.
"I met one or two good people who have the qualities to do it, but
I want to meet more."