English Premier League: 'Perfect run' only way for Arsenal to win title, says Wenger
Arsenal manager says they need to remain unbeaten for any chance of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger looks on during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on April 11, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
BURNLEY:
Arsene Wenger has said his Arsenal side need a "perfect run" to have any chance of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Saturday's 1-0 win away to Burnley made it eight league wins in a row for the Gunners for the first time since the 'Invincibles' season of 2003/04.
Chelsea are four points in front with two games in hand ahead of their match away to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Sunday and the title is now theirs to lose.
But London rivals Arsenal have emerged as their closest challenges due to a superb run of form.
However, cautious Arsenal manager Wenger said after his side's latest triumph at Turf Moor: "Nothing has changed, we need a perfect run and we need a non-perfect run from them (Chelsea) but we can't master that, we can only master our own position.
"We want to keep winning because we have to look behind us as well at Manchester United and Manchester City," the veteran French boss added.
"I think we have won 15 of last 17 so we are consistent.
"When you look at the number of players we had out for months at the start of the season, we got our squad back since January and that makes a difference.
"Let's focus on the next game and give absolutely everything to finish in a strong way."
Aaron Ramsey's ninth club goal of the season was enough to give Arsenal maximum points against a determined Burnley team, who missed the chance to move out of the relegation zone.
Burnley have taken points off Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this season with performances full of spirit and they made Arsenal work hard for the victory, without seriously threatening to equalise.
Wenger said: "I'm pleased with the performance because it was a fighting performance and many people question us on that side.
"I was surprised by the quality of Burnley and it will be a shame if they go down because they have done fantastically well, they are organised, they press well and show great solidarity, they are very fit and I understand now why they took points from the big teams.
"You have to fight and be combative until the end and we couldn't score the second goal, but the defence played very well today and got us the three points."
Second-bottom Burnley have won just five league matches this season and remain two points away from safety.
"We had our moments but you have got to take them and that's what we've found all season," said Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
"I thought in the second half we went right on the front foot after them but you have got to take your chances.
"We think the team can perform and win games and with respect to the teams we're going to play now, they're not as strong and powerful.
"We want to be effective enough to win them and I think we have to learn from everything we've done and package it all together and make it happen over the next six games," Dyche added.
Arsene Wenger has said his Arsenal side need a "perfect run" to have any chance of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Saturday's 1-0 win away to Burnley made it eight league wins in a row for the Gunners for the first time since the 'Invincibles' season of 2003/04.
Chelsea are four points in front with two games in hand ahead of their match away to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Sunday and the title is now theirs to lose.
But London rivals Arsenal have emerged as their closest challenges due to a superb run of form.
However, cautious Arsenal manager Wenger said after his side's latest triumph at Turf Moor: "Nothing has changed, we need a perfect run and we need a non-perfect run from them (Chelsea) but we can't master that, we can only master our own position.
"We want to keep winning because we have to look behind us as well at Manchester United and Manchester City," the veteran French boss added.
"I think we have won 15 of last 17 so we are consistent.
"When you look at the number of players we had out for months at the start of the season, we got our squad back since January and that makes a difference.
"Let's focus on the next game and give absolutely everything to finish in a strong way."
Aaron Ramsey's ninth club goal of the season was enough to give Arsenal maximum points against a determined Burnley team, who missed the chance to move out of the relegation zone.
Burnley have taken points off Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this season with performances full of spirit and they made Arsenal work hard for the victory, without seriously threatening to equalise.
Wenger said: "I'm pleased with the performance because it was a fighting performance and many people question us on that side.
"I was surprised by the quality of Burnley and it will be a shame if they go down because they have done fantastically well, they are organised, they press well and show great solidarity, they are very fit and I understand now why they took points from the big teams.
"You have to fight and be combative until the end and we couldn't score the second goal, but the defence played very well today and got us the three points."
Second-bottom Burnley have won just five league matches this season and remain two points away from safety.
"We had our moments but you have got to take them and that's what we've found all season," said Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
"I thought in the second half we went right on the front foot after them but you have got to take your chances.
"We think the team can perform and win games and with respect to the teams we're going to play now, they're not as strong and powerful.
"We want to be effective enough to win them and I think we have to learn from everything we've done and package it all together and make it happen over the next six games," Dyche added.