Arsene Wenger activates mind games against title favourites Leicester City

The Frenchman, still without a Premier League title since his last triumph in 2004, is preparing to welcome leaders Leicester City to the Emirates this weekend

Claudio Ranieri and Arsene Wenger (Getty)

As chief antagoniser to Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho in the past two decades, Arsene Wenger knows how crucial carefully-crafted mind games can be.

The Frenchman, still without a Premier League title since his last triumph in 2004, is preparing to welcome leaders Leicester City to the Emirates this weekend with a five point gap to bridge.

The opponents may be unfamiliar, for the Foxes’ best Premier League finish to date is 8th in 2000, but Wenger is well versed in the rewards and pitfalls of trying to forge a way into the mind-set of your title rivals.

Speaking to the media ahead of this Sunday’s huge capital meeting between the pair, the 66-year-old delivered the clearest sign yet that he considers Leicester to be genuine title contenders.

Wenger, aware the visitors on Sunday are riding a wave of optimism after the 3-1 win at Manchester City, wants Claudio Ranieri’s men to approach the match with a sense of trepidation.

Debunking the myth that Leicester have nothing to lose, the Frenchman said: “They’ve got time to think but that can be a disadvantage if you don’t think in the right way. I believe still they’re in a position where they think where they are, they have nothing to lose.

“But when you’re top, you can lose what you have. The pressure is on us as well, I don’t deny that. But I take it as a positive, an opportunity to show how strong we are.”

When quizzed on the topic six years ago, however, Wenger admitted psychology can play a part in the title run-in, pinpointing the fact Arsenal had not won the title in so long as a reason behind their difficulties to do so again.

“I believe this team want to do well but because they haven’t won yet they make it harder in their heads than it really is. When we get close to winning we play with the handbrake on.

“The team is mentally strong and dedicated. I see them every day and wouldn’t defend them if they didn’t have the right attitude. But they do have to find that final part to win the big games.”