Wenger tells Arsenal to 'wake up' ahead of Man Utd test

AFTER back-to-back defeats in the Premier League and with Manchester United's visit to the Emirates on Sunday looming Arsene Wenger has told his players to "wake up", as Arsenal fans ponder the likelihood of the club failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 14 years.

The Gunners' hopes of winning the title were all but dead by the end of August, and now their dreams of a top four finish are slipping away as well as they struggle to keep pace with London rivals Chelsea and Spurs.

United humiliated Arsenal 8-2 in one of the great Premier League routs in the summer and the thrashing served to emphasise just how far off the pace Arsenal actually are.

If that game proved that Wenger's side had no business challenging for the title, another convincing win for Alex Ferguson over his old enemy could well consign Arsenal to the Europa League or, worse still, a season with no European football. If things go against them the Gunners could end the weekend seven points behind Chelsea and down in seventh place in the table.

Yesterday Arsene Wenger bemoaned his side's defensive frailty. "That's now twice - at Swansea and at Fulham - where we have given the game away," the Frenchman noted. "At our level that is frustrating and not good enough. It is down to a lack of composure and the right decision-making.

"It is time for us to wake up and be focused. We have a good opportunity to do that against Manchester United."

But once again there are rumblings of discontent among fans over Wenger's approach during the transfer window. Arsenal's weaknesses are apparent, but so far Wenger has yet to sign any new players.

Matt Hughes of The Times says that his reticence could end up costing him dear. "Wenger has resisted the impulses of others at the club to spend heavily in the past, with the irony being that it will become even harder for him to invest in the squad if his critics are vindicated. It is extremely unlikely that targets such as Eden Hazard and Lukas Podolski would sign up for a Europa League campaign."

The Guardian even claims that Arsenal's main target at the moment appears to be Robin Van Persie's five-year-old son Shaqueel, who has been asked to join the club's youth training scheme.

David Hytner wryly notes that Wenger "has built a reputation for unearthing young gems but following the blood line of a star player would appear to be a fresh tactic." He then adds: "More seriously, the gesture could be construed as a part of the ongoing attempt to bind Van Persie to the club for the long term." ·