Gunners´ momentum born of mental strength: Wenger

Arsene Wenger has urged his on-form Arsenal squad to maintain the mental discipline that has lifted them back into the Premier League title battle when they take on struggling Bolton on Wednesday.

Having seemed out of contention following a 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea at the end of November, the Gunners have since revived their challenge with five wins from six league matches.

Another win at the Emirates on Wednesday would move Wenger’s men to within a point of leaders Chelsea and the Frenchman believes his young squad has proved its resilience.

“We have a good opportunity to come back very close to Chelsea, and we want to take it, to make it more interesting for everybody,” Wenger said. “One month ago we were far from the top teams, and since have created momentum.

“We refused to give up and continued to fight and believe in our strengths.

“The biggest test in our camp was the mental strengths of the players and the solidarity of the players. That has been tested.

“What we have realised in one month gives us a good springboard to go even further. Why should we stop here?

“The next two months will determine how ambitious and how hungry we are.”

Wenger added: “It does not mean Chelsea or Manchester United do not have hunger – but what I know is that within our team we have a great hunger for success. We have great solidarity and team spirit.

“We are a team who has grown up together and wants to achieve things. We have not won anything yet together and that makes us hungry for success.”

Wenger has admitted he would like to bring one or more new players into his squad during the January transfer window – notably a striker – but believes his faith in his policy of developing the club’s own youngsters is finally paying off.

“In the modern game, there is a lack of patience and one response when you lose a game – people say to you ‘buy, buy, buy’,” he said. “I believe sometimes when you have players who are 21, 22, that they can only become better.

“When they are 33, they can only be worse at 34 and that is why we are in a position where we need to have the needed strengths to be patient because we have the quality.

“Hopefully we can show until the end of the season that we can be successful.”

Arsenal will be without injured skipper Cesc Fabregas on Tuesday while midfielder Alex Song is away with Cameroon at the African Nations Cup.

Offsetting those losses is the fact that Denilson is fit again following a back problem and Wenger is confident the Brazilian can fill Song’s boots.

“Denilson is an all-rounder, but he can play in this position and will come in for Song,” Wenger said. “He is very strong in reading the game and winning the ball back.

“Denilson has 150 games in the Premier League. People do not notice how important he is for us and he can play in every single position in midfield.”