Arsene Wenger is sensing that the “vibes” are right for Arsenal to finally end their Premier League title drought, saying the team showed their growing maturity in grinding out an ugly win against Newcastle.
Wenger’s team have not won the league since 2004 and have often been criticised in recent years for not being mentally or physically tough enough to stage a proper title challenge.
But with Arsenal two points clear atop the table just past the halfway stage, the Frenchman said he has a feeling that this season could be different. Especially after seeing his team overcome Newcastle 1-0 despite a poor performance at home on Saturday.
“If you look at your team like a person and the vibes that are coming out — you can sense in this job if you feel it or not,” Wenger taid on Sunday. “I think we are more experienced than the teams I had when I moved into the stadium here [in 2006].
“On our day we could play everybody off the park and when you had to dig deep you experience it was a bit more difficult. It was different. Now, the experience, the quality of their attitude, the team always has the charisma.”
Wenger’s teams have always been known for attractive football, but not necessarily for being able to pull out hard-fought victories on a day when they struggle going forward. Saturday’s victory, though, showed the team is learning to do just that.
“I must say [you see] another aspect of your team in a game like [against Newcastle]. It is more the mental aspect – you fight, don’t panic and wait for your chance,” Wenger said. “We were more questioned on that aspect than the way we played football.”
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