Wenger on title race and Man City

Arsene Wenger is not giving up hope of winning the title - but he says the Manchester City game is his side’s last chance to stay in the race.

The Gunners are six points behind leaders Chelsea with seven games remaining, and host Manuel Pellegrini’s side on Saturday evening.

Wenger admits Arsenal now need to look over their shoulder as well as in front of them, but he is convinced his side can finish the campaign on a high.

“It is [our last chance to stay in the title race], yes,” the manager said. “But I believe that we have to keep going despite the past two negative results. If people say that Everton can catch us, that means we can catch the teams above us as well because they play against each other.

“The next game is of massive importance because it is Man City and they fight at the top. They are the favourites with Chelsea and Liverpool, but when you play one of the favourites you have an opportunity to shorten the distance with them.

“We have not given up, believe me. We can show that [on Saturday] - it is our attitude that will decide that. Champions keep going when everybody else would give up. We have an opportunity to show that we have that mentality.”

While Wenger says that fighting to remain in the top four would not be enough for him, he says some perspective is needed on his side’s prospects.

“We want to finish first in the league and the other priorities are still there,” he said. “You want to be in the Champions League of course, but it is never good enough to be anything other than first.

“You want to do as well as you can in sport and that is the ultimate target. You hope always you are the best. After that, second, third, fourth is less good.

“If you ask any team, they have to be in the top four. You cannot say as well it is a shame but you want to be first. You do not work day and night to be second.

“Let’s not forget we are in an important race in the Premier League, we are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. It is not as doom and gloom as everybody paints the situation.

“We live in a period where every game is a definite judgement forever, but life is movement and life is change. Change is part of having disappointments and transforming them into positivity.”