Arsenal vs. Watford: Arsene Wenger's Key Quotes from Pre-Match Press Conference

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels as though his team have responded well to the pressure of a Premier League title challenge and is pleased with their previous two performances. 

Speaking ahead of his team’s crucial clash with Watford on Saturday, the Frenchman opened up on his team’s title chances. The Gunners are currently in third place and trail surprise league leaders Leicester City by 11 points having played a game less than the Foxes.

And despite suggestions that Arsenal’s season has fallen apart—having recently been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup—Wenger has been pleased with the standards of his side, per Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror:

"

It has been very difficult but I believe you focus on giving your best and performing. Our last two games were very positive and it shows the team responds well.

Some teams sink and some respond. We have responded in a very efficient way. The language is very dramatic in the Premier League you have to accept that.

"

James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images

The last two performances have yielded positives in different ways. Arsenal were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League encounter, although they did create a lot of chances against the holders.

Days later, they went to Goodison Park and cruised by a tepid Everton team 2-0, with Alex Iwobi shining on his first Premier League start.

Still, they’re big outsiders for the top spot and speaking to German website Spox.com (h/t Ben Burrows of the Daily Mirror), this season’s star man, Mesut Ozil, conceded that the team have “mucked it up ourselves.”

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Wenger insisted there have been other factors to blame, too. “We have had many injuries as well.” said the Frenchman, per Mackay. “Let’s not judge too much. Our job is to perform until the last day of the season so let’s perform.”

He was also adamant that his team were not out of the race for glory quite yet, conceding he’s unsure of how many sides remain in the hunt:

“The target is to win the games,” he added, per Mackay. “Let’s be pragmatic. It starts tomorrow. [79 points] could be enough, but it depends on the results of Leicester. Nobody knows how they will respond in their last games.”

One significant injury blow for Arsenal this season has been the prolonged absence of midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The 24-year-old has yet to play a single minute of competitive football in 2015-16 and while the Gunners have a plethora of quality midfielders, his ability to scythe through opposing teams with the ball has been missed.

There have also been questions about whether or not England should gamble on taking Wilshere to the UEFA European Championship this summer, despite his lack of game time.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

“Yes,” was Wenger’s response when asked if he could make the squad, per Mackay. “I’ll be cautious with him now, but he will be back fully competitive in a few weeks.”

Additionally, the manager also provided an update on the fitness of some other key players for the visit of the Hornets. And in a big boost to the Emirates Stadium faithful, there could be a return in store for goalkeeper Petr Cech:

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford last month, Wenger will be keen for some redemption in the Premier League.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side are cohesive, hard-working and dangerous on the counter-attack, and the Gunners must be more alive to their threats than they were in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat.

A win would also heap pressure on the Foxes and local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who face tough games after Arsenal have played. The leaders host a savvy Southampton team on Sunday, while Spurs make the trip to Anfield on Saturday evening.

If Wenger’s side are to force their way back into title contention, this weekend will surely be critical in them doing so.