• Premier League

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal aren't close to being in title race

Arsene Wenger believes his Arsenal team are "nowhere near" the Premier League front-runners, but is refusing to rule out his side's title chances.

Arsenal currently sit third in the table, nine points adrift of league-leaders Chelsea and four points behind second-placed Manchester City.

After losing 3-1 at home in the first leg of their Champions League tie against Monaco, the FA Cup once again represents Arsenal's best chance of silverware this season.

However, Wenger is not ready to discount the possibility of lifting the Premier League for the first time in over a decade.

"At the moment, we are nowhere near to winning the Premier League, and nowhere near close to being in the race," he said. "But you never know what can happen. I speak as well about Man City, why should they give up for the title? They have done it three years ago by being eight points behind.

"If you ask a team who is four points behind us, they will say it's realistic to try and catch us. Manchester City are four points in front of us so mathematically of course that is possible."

The chase for the top four and Champions League qualification has accelerated in recent weeks, with just seven points separating Arsenal in third and Tottenham in seventh, who have a game in hand. Even Stoke City, down in 10th, are just 11 points off fourth spot.

Wenger takes his side across London to face struggling QPR on Wednesday night seeking a seventh win in eight league games.

"The only thing you can say is that it's very tight. You look in front of you, Manchester City are four points ahead of us, and you look behind you, there's plenty of people chasing us.

"That will be very, very tight and it will be down to consistency in our results and mental strength. That will certainly be needed again on Wednesday night.''

Arsene Wenger has faced fresh criticism for his side's 3-1 defeat to Monaco © Getty Images

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