Manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his battle-weary Arsenal squad to look within themselves and provide a response at Reading on Monday night.
The Gunners head to Madejski Stadium in need of a confidence boost following the shock penalty shoot-out defeat at npower League Two Bradford. However, yesterday’s results mean Arsenal are three points off the top four of the Barclays Premier League, albeit without Tottenham and West Brom having played.
“There has been disappointment and frustration [this week], but that is normal when you go out in a competition like that,” Wenger said. “However, having said that, we can only look at ourselves, get on with it and look for the future.”
Although there have been plenty of calls for a fresh voice at the helm, Wenger, 63, maintains he is the right man to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around. England defender Kieran Gibbs, 23, believes Wenger’s work in developing raw talents such as himself can never be underestimated.
“He has built a reputation for signing players for a modest fee and turning them into great players,” Gibbs told www.fourfourtwo.com. “I don’t think many people in England had really heard of Thomas Vermaelen before he arrived and yet he became an instant fan favourite at the club.
“The manager has an eye for noticing the potential in promising players.”
Much has been made of the role of assistant manager Steve Bould this season after he replaced Wenger’s long-term right-hand man Pat Rice. Full-back Gibbs feels the former Arsenal centre-half has helped make an impact on the side.