Injuries are no excuse for Arsene Wenger

Late heartbreak: Arsenal defenders Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre and Gael Clichy are unable to prevent Charles N'Zogbia from scoring a stoppage-time winner for Wigan after they had trailed by two goals at the DW Stadium
11 April 2012

Arsene Wenger has refused to use injuries as an excuse for a fifth trophyless season at Arsenal, following another defensive collapse at Wigan yesterday.

Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre were overwhelmed as the home side came from two goals down to win 3-2 in injury-time, ending any chance the Gunners had of silverware this season.

Arsenal are now six points behind Chelsea with three games to play and are 100-1 outsiders to win the Premier League title.

Wenger said: "I do not want to use the injuries as an excuse. When you are 2-0 up and you play for Arsenal, I believe you would not use the injuries as an excuse when you lose the game."

The Arsenal manager has sorely missed William Gallas, who was risked in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona despite suffering with a calf injury. The defender aggravated the problem in the match and is now out for the rest of the season.

Since the setback, Arsenal have won only once — courtesy of a late winner against Wolves — and conceded nine goals in four games.

Wenger was criticised for risking Gallas against Barca but the centre-half, who had been in imperious form alongside Thomas Vermaelen until his injury, said: "I wanted to play against Barcelona because I am a competitor. I had the agreement of the medical staff and physical trainer."

Arsenal face Manchester City, who are still chasing fourth spot, at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Wenger says his players must raise themselves despite now having nothing left to play for. "Spurs can catch us, Manchester City can catch us. We have to win at least one game," he said.

Wenger is hopeful Denilson will return to full training this week after missing the trip to Wigan with a groin problem, while Alex Song's knee injury will be monitored after a scan revealed inflamed cartilage.

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