Arsene Wenger Says Arsenal Are Worried by Fight for Champions League Spot

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is concerned the Gunners could miss out on UEFA Champions League football following their 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Sunday.

According to Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail, he was asked if he was "worried" at the prospect of failing to qualify, and he said:

"

Yes, of course. 

We care about that and we worry about it as well. It is a fight. 

There are two leagues at the moment. The teams who are taking it easier.

You see that in some games. You think, 'I would like to play them now.' The teams that are safe and do not go for Europe. 

Then you have the teams that go for something at the top and the teams that fight not to go down. It’s different games.

It is frustrating because we play to win the title. The fact that we do not win it is, of course, frustrating.

"

The draw at the Stadium of Light was their third in four matches, and the Gunners' slide out of the title race is now complete following Leicester City's win against Swansea City. Indeed, as fifth-placed Manchester United have a game in hand, Arsenal's position in the top four isn't even secure, as they could find themselves just two points ahead of the Red Devils.

Further, fourth place may not even be enough to reach the Champions League should Manchester City win the competition or Liverpool win the UEFA Europa League.

On Match of the Day 2, pundit Jermaine Jenas noted the pressure was building on Arsenal:

Indeed, they're in danger of breaking a familiar cycle at the Emirates Stadium, and not in a positive way, per the Sun Football:

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp was damning in his assessment of Wenger's recent management of the club. Per the MailOnline's Adam Smith, he said:

"

I think Arsene has brainwashed the fans. And for people to say 'we got into the top four every year,' that's not good enough for Arsenal.

A lot of my friends that support Arsenal actually think to have a change they might have to not finish in the top four. It might be the best thing that could happen.

At least something has to be done because while they keep finishing in the top four it's like it's OK. That's not OK for Arsenal.

"

Given the seemingly growing support behind the "Wenger Out" campaign led by a disgruntled section of the Emirates Stadium faithful, it seems many now recognise Arsenal's perennial underachievement in simply qualifying for the Champions League each year.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Their failure to provide a worthwhile challenge for the league title is particularly unforgivable this year thanks to the largely poor campaigns endured by Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. 

Those circumstances provided Arsenal a golden chance to win the championship, and it could be a long time before all of their usual rivals perform so badly all at the same time.

The Gunners have not been helped by the misfiring Olivier Giroud, as Bleacher Report UK noted:

Per Gill, Wenger added: "At the moment Olivier cannot score. So you feel that there is not completely the same level of confidence. You go through spells like that. I believe we have to support him. We need to give him the needed confidence."

The manager must take his share of responsibility here, too, as he did not recruit another goalscorer to take the weight off the Frenchman's shoulders either last summer or in January.

Giroud has his place in Arsenal's squad, but as his form has demonstrated, he's not the player who should be leading the line week in, week out for an entire season—or several, as the case has been.

Wenger's failure to imbue his side with the qualities and personnel needed to win the Premier League has arguably never been more evident than it has this season, and if they do manage to qualify for the Champions League, it will only paper over some large cracks.

Change is undoubtedly needed at the Emirates, whether it be to their transfer policy or in the management itself, or Arsenal are destined to do the same dance every year—and with the rise of teams such as Leicester City, West Ham United and rivals Tottenham Hotspur, that dance will only get more difficult.