Spluttering Arsenal must think positive says Wenger

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal can rescue a Champions League place from their disappointing season if his players start to think positively.

The misfiring Gunners face West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday after a dismal run of four successive goalless draws in the Premier League.

That barren spell has left Arsenal in fifth place and six points behind Aston Villa, who hold the last Champions League spot.

Wenger’s side could have been in an even worse position but for Villa’s late meltdown that forced them to settle for a 2-2 draw against Stoke on Sunday.

But the Arsenal manager refuses to contemplate the prospect of finishing outside the top four. He is convinced they can get back on track by following Manchester United’s confident approach.

“They (United) don’t think about it. The trophies flow in for them at the moment, so it is all natural for them,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

“Even on Sunday in the League Cup final they were so convinced they would win it in the end because they have no doubt.

“They put themselves in that position – we were in that position as well, we just need to continue to focus.

“I believe the spirit of the team is great, the focus they have in training is great and they will be rewarded – I have never seen a team not being rewarded for that kind of spirit and quality.”

While Arsenal’s forwards have struggled to find the net in recent weeks, Wenger has taken heart from the way his defence – previously Arsenal’s Achilles heal – has conceded just three goals in 12 matches.

Wenger believes such consistency at the back is a solid foundation on which to build.

“We want to keep the focus on that strength. We are in the final sprint of the season and you can see that it’s vital and very, very important,” he said.

“You can only make results everywhere if you feel strong defensively.”

Wenger will, however, be forced into a defensive change for the trip to The Hawthorns, with William Gallas needing to rest a niggling ankle injury.

The Frenchman has been a consistent performer in the past few months, in stark contrast to when he grabbed the headlines earlier in the season for all the wrong reasons following some outspoken comments and was eventually stripped of the captaincy.

“His future is here and it is bright. I believe he has shown that the only answer in football is quality performances,” Wenger added.

“William has had a little ankle problem for a while and we want to cure it. He will be back for Sunday (against Burnley) probably.”

Should the Gunners be able to get their league campaign on course once again, then they should be able to welcome back reinforcements for the run-in.

England winger Theo Walcott has resumed full training following a shoulder problem which needed an operation, while fellow long-term absentees captain Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky could both be back in action by the start of April.

Wenger revealed: “Theo is well, he just needs to get used to contact in training, but it looks positive.

“Eduardo has a small chance to be back for Burnley, even (Emmanuel) Adebayor has a small chance, maybe Burnley will be too tight, but a small chance.

“Fabregas and Rosicky (will return in) three weeks.”