Wenger Accepts Arsenal Are Currently Reliant

Arsene Wenger accepts Arsenal are currently "reliant" on the goals of in-form captain Robin van Persie - but maintains the Gunners are far from a one-man team.

Arsene Wenger accepts Arsenal are currently "reliant" on the goals of in-form captain Robin van Persie - but maintains the Gunners are far from a one-man team.

The Holland forward netted a brace in the midweek Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund to take his tally to 17 as Arsenal secured safe passage through to the last 16 as group winners.

Van Persie, 28, has enjoyed a superb 2011, breaking the 30-goal barrier for the calendar year with another double in last week's win at Norwich.

Despite the Dutchman's red hot form, Wenger maintains there are others who can wade in with the goals as he prepares for the visit of Fulham, when Arsenal will look to record a sixth-straight Premier League win.

"Robin is top, top, top in the world at the moment. Hopefully we can keep him going," Wenger said.

"He is in a period where he shows it is natural for him to score goals. When you are not desperate for goals, you score.

"We are reliant on Robin, of course, because he scores many goals, and that is always a problem when you have when someone is playing extremely well.

"However, I believe that players like Gervinho, [Theo] Walcott, [Andrey] Arshavin and [Aaron] Ramsey will score goals as well, but at the moment they are more in the providing zone.

"I am confident that in the near future, some others will score goals as well."

Wenger added: "We have [Marouane] Chamakh and Park Ju-Young, who I think are quality, but at the moment they are not getting the opportunities because Robin is in such fantastic form.

"It will be up to them to show they can take the relay when needed because the season is long and we play in many competitions, hopefully for a long time. Everybody will get a chance."

Wenger, though, maintains it is up to the likes of Arshavin, who was an unused substitute in midweek, to force their way back into contention.

"I feel sorry for every player who does not play, but competition is part of our job," he said.

"You must accept that in some periods of your career somebody can get in front of you."

Despite requesting Holland not to play van Persie in the second of their recent internationals, Wenger understands he cannot simply wrap Arsenal's talisman striker in cotton wool.

"You have to accept the gamble and the risk," the Gunners boss said.

"We had periods with Thierry Henry going through stages like this, it is the same.

"Risk is part of the game and enjoyment demands risk. You have to just play full through it and that's life. That is part of sport.

Arsenal head into their late kick-off at Emirates Stadium having won 11 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, which has seen them close back up on the top four as well as reach the quarter-finials of the Carling Cup, where they will host Manchester City next week.

Wenger feels the squad must take the credit for getting themselves on track again following a dismal start to the campaign - which saw Arsenal hammered 8-2 at Manchester United and slump as low as 17th.

"I believe what turned the season around is the excellent attitude and mentality of the players we have," the Arsenal boss said.

"The players we have and the players who came in have all shown excellent desire to do well and focus.

"I was always optimistic because of that. Every day the players want to improve. When you have that in the dressing room you have a chance."

Arsenal have dedicated their match to their global charity partner Save the Children.

Players will be donating a day's wages along with many Arsenal staff to help raise funds, while 50p from each programme sale will also go to the charity and there will be collection buckets - some manned by "mystery guests" - for supporters to give what they can.

Wenger said: "Football is a privilege sector in our society today, so we can help more than others.

"It is a responsibility of every adult to give something back."

Posted in: Footy News