Wenger - We must do more with the ball

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal must become much more efficient in possession if they are to return to their best form.

The Gunners have had a trying week after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford and the Champions League by Barcelona.

Wenger’s side travel to Everton on Saturday and the manager says that, despite recent results, he has been encouraged by aspects of his team’s play.

“Even if we’re disappointed to be eliminated by Barcelona, overall I think we are on a continuity of a positive performance,” he said. “It’s very important for the team to gain momentum and produce the same quality of performance again.

“The regret I have about the two games against Barcelona [is that] maybe they were more beatable than ever before. When we played against them, they were not so much out of reach.

“They can walk through the games before they play against us. They played on Saturday with a team who after 20 minutes was 3-0 up. In their league they have problems to sell out because there is no championship anymore. They can select how much they go for it. In the Premier League you cannot.

“Unfortunately, we go through periods where, against Watford, we had 70 per cent possession and we had two shots on target. Against Swansea, we basically had the same, 70 per cent possession, three shots on target and lost the game. The better question is how we can do more with the possession we have.

“What is true in football is that the result always dictates the way you should play. Let’s not forget that Barcelona had 19 shots against us and they won. On a longer period, if you are a big club you need to have ambition, take initiative and create the game.”