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Wenger insists there's nothing wrong with Arsenal's training

Arsene Wenger has responded to Per Mertesacker's claims that Arsenal need to put more in during training © Getty Images

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists his team do not need to step up their training regime after defender Per Mertesacker claimed extra work was needed to resolve their defensively difficulties.

Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their opening eight Premier League games and the 11-point gap that has opened up between them and table topping Chelsea has put a huge dent in their hopes of a title challenge.

But Wenger insisted that a lack of effort and passion are not at the root of Arsenal's defensive woes this season, responding to Mertesacker's comments in typically philosophical style.

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"I don't know what he meant by that," Wenger said. "We have to be careful with statements after the game. We train very hard. The spirit is right and the attitude is there and performance is linked with confidence.

"I cannot fault the attitude. Per is right, you get confidence back by working harder in the game.

"We are not at the same level defensively this season. That is something we have to work on. There have been changes as well in the team. Players have to get used to working together but last year we had 17 clean sheets and this season we have only one."

One shining light for Arsenal's defensive line-up this season has been left back Kieran Gibbs, with Wenger suggesting the young England star has taken his game to a new level in recent weeks.

"I think so," was Wenger's response to the suggestion that Gibbs is emerging as the best left back in England's top division. "He is consistent, determined and he has gained something in his stature.

"This is not just because he scored a goal [against Anderlecht], but he is more determined in the fight and more confident on the ball. He has all the attributes you want in a left back. He is quick, agile, has a good technique and he is intelligent as well. He has all you want to be a fantastic left back."

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the famous game at Old Trafford that ended Arsenal's historic 49-game unbeaten run, and when the subject was raised at Wenger's Friday press briefing, a smile cracked his face as he offered this reflection on a game that lives long in the memory.

"First of all, I think it was an incredible run," he added. "I think it was only ended by a bad referee on the day and I will never forget that. The rest in the tunnel, it will make a good film."

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