Olivier Giroud says Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal players to ignore the mounting pressure on him and focus on improving their stuttering form.
Arsenal are in the midst one of their greatest struggles of Wenger’s 20 year reign after four defeats in their last five league games, their worst run of form in the top flight since 1995.
Their losing run has put Arsenal’s annual berth in the top four, and the Champions League qualification it brings with it, in great doubt. Wenger’s side are sixth with 11 games left, six points off fourth-placed Liverpool but with two games in hand.
Wenger has come under mounting pressure from a vocal section of pundits and supporters but Giroud revealed that the manager is attempting to shield his players from the worst criticism.
“For five years we have had these sorts of sensations and we always finished in the top four,” he told L’Equipe. “The team does not feel that pressure, which you describe from the outside.
“The coach regularly tells us to ignore what is going on around us and to leave him to deal with the critics. Play, I will deal with the rest.”
Giroud added that another disappointing run of form had not prompted him to consider his future two months after signing a new contract.
“To win titles is our aim, but it is not a determining factor in my career,” he said. “I am very happy at Arsenal.”
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