'Going out of Europe killed something in players' minds'

The Interview - Arsène Wenger: Their Champions' League exit was painful, the FA Cup a distraction. Nick Townsend hears Arsenal's Professor explain why he lost his cool

As the championship plot begins to unravel to an almost inevitable dénouement, so the tie is unknotted from that slender neck and thrust into a pocket of his suit. Midway through the second half at the Reebok Stadium last Saturday, and this is rather more than just Arsène Wenger feeling the early afternoon sun in deepest Lancashire; he is experiencing the deep heat of expectation unsatisfied. No more is this a somewhat removed master approvingly, but dispassionately, surveying a revered élite group of students. After eight months of endeavour he recognises the spectre of failure – by Arsenal's grandiose terms – with his own reputation coming under scrutiny, and he succumbs to the most primal instincts as he raises a fist in frustration.

Six days on, it is put to him that this is surely not the Arsenal manager so frequently portrayed as the epitome of sang-froid? "I am that, of course, but you want to win and you have fought so hard for the whole season. We are two goals up, and then we lose three players in five minutes. When it's all going well and the players are very focused it relaxes you as well. When you feel that the concentration [among the players] is not right, you sometimes feel that with a strong reaction you can get that right."

It was not to be, the match ending 2-2. The championship drifts elusively away like the string of a child's balloons slipping through the fingers. But not necessarily, Wenger argues. "A real champion is someone who believes it is still possible when other people have given up," he says. "You have a tennis player who is two sets and 5-1 down; they get back to 5-5, and then go on to win the match. We could do the same."

Hmm. You just wonder. Have his players' eyes been aflame with desire during the week's training sessions? Wenger still has time for some dark humour. "It's difficult to say whether the players believe it or not... because there's nobody there," he says. Sol Campbell is suspended, and Patrick Vieira is out injured. There are also doubts over Freddie Ljungberg, Pascal Cygan and Lauren. Gilberto Silva has been on an exhausting journey to Mexico to represent Brazil.

On Friday, at the club's London Colney training ground, Wenger still bridles at the treatment he perceives has been meted out to his team. It was put to him that, during the run-in, his men have been confronted by an over-physical challenge from Bolton's players, and those of other teams. "It looks as though it is the way it has been chosen in some places," he agrees, selecting his words carefully. "I thought [referee] Andy D'Urso was a bit weak on the tackle [by Jay-Jay Okocha] on Ljungberg. The tackle on him and the one on Lauren were really bad."

Yet, no punishment had been meted by D'Urso in either case. It was suggested to Wenger that Sam Allardyce's pre-match comments, suggesting that the official should beware the conduct of the Arsenal players had influenced the referee. "I hope not," says Wenger. "Because if they have it's desperation for English football."

Such debate inevitably leads to today's confrontation with Leeds, never the most reticent of opponents in the challenge themselves. "It will certainly be a physical game, yes," says Wenger. "Among their players' resources is huge commitment. It's what you expect of them. That's accepted." He pauses, before adding: "But you do expect the rules to be respected."

In the final analysis, even if Arsenal were to lose out by maybe two points and possibly secure the FA Cup again it would be considered a bountiful harvest in most boardrooms. And yet that must be placed in the context of what his side promised back in the autumn: a championship, certainly, and, just maybe, a Champions' League trophy? "The best team in Europe", Arsenal had been touted then, and Wenger had scarcely counselled caution at such proclamations. Yet, many would contend that his side were swept away by a tidal wave of tributes to their abilities around the time they had played with such devastating pace and panache to inflict a harrowing defeat on Leeds, 4-1 at Elland Road.

Did he regret concurring with the theory that his side could go through the season undefeated? "When you lose only three games, as we did last season, I set a target to do better. What can I say to the players? Do I set a target to do worse?"

Yet, inevitably that had resulted in some, including certain individuals in the vicinity of Old Trafford, to condemn him as arrogant. "The arrogant person is the footballer who says 'nothing can happen to me', then he is hit in the leg and is nothing any more," responds Wenger. "We are confident, and that is interpreted by some people who don't like us as arrogance."

In truth, it would require a calamitous collapse by Sir Alex Ferguson's team now for United to concede the title. Wenger is reminded that Ferguson had exhibited premature triumphalism by marching on the pitch towards the visiting faithful after United had held Arsenal 2-2 at Highbury. "It shows you how happy he was just to get a draw at Highbury," he replies wryly. "Maybe he thought it was a good result, and he was right." To observers it will be interpreted as the crucial moment in Arsenal's season. However, Wenger himself identifies the defining moment as the night Arsenal were eliminated from Europe.

"I believe that the team were so much involved in the Champions' League that it killed something in the minds of our players and they have not completely recovered. I think we paid the price for being in the FA Cup. When we played again three days later, as we did at home against Ajax, we missed a bit of spark."

If he can reignite that, belatedly, it will be an achievement of "fantastic" dimensions, as Wenger accepts. If not, he will accept the outcome philosophically. "If Manchester United win the title, we have to congratulate them and say 'you were the best'. But if, after 38 games, you lose by one point it's like losing a marathon by two seconds. It doesn't make you a bad team." He adds, with that knowing smile: "But I still believe we are the best team."

Yet, failure in the championship race would beg certain questions, most pertinently over whether Arsenal can still compete with Manchester United in terms of wealth, particularly after last week's financial results which revealed that the London club's debts stand at £40m. It means that money on close-season players' purchases – Wenger says there may be "two or three" – and wages will be under stringent control. There is also concern that the proposed 2005-06 season move to Ashburton Grove has been postponed.

In September, Wenger will celebrate his seventh anniversary at Highbury. The Itching Hour approaches, perhaps? Doubtful in Wenger's case, though he does concede his "concern" about the stadium delay "because it is one of my dreams, and why I work so hard is to make this club one of the five biggest in the world".

He adds: "I will have to wait until the end of the season to see what kind of restrictions I face. But I still think we will have a stronger team next season than this because I will get players for a cheap price." Maybe even for free? "Why not. There are so many players available. Anyway, I have always been prudent. We never spend big, big money for players, never. We are fighting with Manchester United to win the championship; yet, they bought Rio Ferdinand for £30m; we bought Pascal Cygan for £2m."

Restrictions on future contract enhancements will increase speculation about Vieira, double Footballer of the Year Thierry Henry, and Robert Pires, who has apparently claimed that his own future at Highbury might depend on the club improving the squad. "I will tell you now, whatever you read about the financial situation at the club they will all stay," insists Wenger, who accepts that Pires' reported comments have not been helpful. "But I would say that Pires has never demanded any conditions about strengthening the team," he adds.

Whatever the quality of next season's complement of players, much will depend on Wenger's own abilities as man-manager. In view of Arsenal's faltering Premiership campaign, does he have doubts about that? "Always," he responds without hesitation. "I always question myself. If I don't I am a complete lunatic. I cannot wake up every morning, walk out on the street, and say, 'I am the best in the world. Everything I do is perfect'.

"What I have achieved is not important to me. What keeps me going is to think that I am a better manager this season than I was last season. If that is not in accordance with the reality, I have a problem."

Many might consider that a debatable point, given the respective achievements of this season and last. Or are we too swift to dismiss Wenger's men? If they can yet claim both those domestic trophies, it would do more than establish the Frenchman as a better manager. It would decree him a miracle-worker.

Biography: Arsène Wenger

Born: 22 September 1949.

Arsenal career: (September 1996 to present). Succeeded Bruce Rioch. Total matches 378, won 213 (56 per cent), drawn 95, lost 70.

Honours: Double – Premiership and FA Cup (2), 1997-98 and 2001-02. Runners-up: Premiership (1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01). Uefa Cup runners-up 1999-2000).

Previous clubs: Cannes (1983), Nancy (1984), Monaco (1987 to 1994 – won French title 1987-88), Nagoya Grampus Eight (1995 to 1996).

As a player: Sweeper, defender for Mutzig, Strasbourg, Cannes (player/manager).

Also: Nicknamed "The Professor", graduating in 1974 with an economics degree from Strasbourg University.