Arsenal

Arsene Wenger: 'Our season depends on positive response'

By Liam Power, Reporter | 18 August 2013

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declares that their season depends on a positive response to Saturday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared that his side's season will depend on a positive response to Saturday's shock defeat against Aston Villa.

The Gunners were soundly beaten 3-1 by Villa at the Emirates, with Laurent Koscielny sent off while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna were all added to a growing injury list.

Wenger believes that negative energy will spread quickly in his squad if they are unable to bounce back against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, describing the trip to Istanbul as a "massive game".

He told The Mirror: "There's always a lot of dangers in a team as it's a human activity multiplied by 25. That means negativity can arrive quickly and spread quickly.

"But it's the first game of the season and we want to bounce back. I believe our season will depend on how we respond to this defeat. What is important is to rebuild the confidence of the team before Wednesday night. That's a massive game for us.

"But we'll bounce back, because the spirit is good. We are short but we can only play with the players we have. Even if you go on the Eiffel Tower and you throw the money away, you have to play with the players you have."

The Gunners leave for Istanbul tomorrow ahead of the first leg against Fener, with a return to come six days later after a trip to Fulham in the Premier League.