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'HORRENDOUS'

Arsene Wenger blasts uncertainty over Arsenal future as reason for poor performance from players

Gunners boss says players had to play in an "absolutely horrendous" environment

ARSENE WENGER blasted uncertainty about his future for making life "absolutely horrendous" for his players.

The Arsenal boss spoke out after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years -despite a 3-1 win over Everton where he suffered TRIPLE blow ahead of Saturday's FA Cup Final with Chelsea.

 Arsene Wenger has blasted the uncertainty over his future as a reason for Arsenal's poor performance this season
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Arsene Wenger has blasted the uncertainty over his future as a reason for Arsenal's poor performance this seasonCredit: Getty Images

Wenger, 67, is at loggerheads with Arsenal's board over his future as he has failed to agree a new contract.


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And he says it has affected his players' performances on the pitch after they were beaten to fourth place by Liverpool.

Wenger said: "It's very sad, because for 20 years we were in the Champions League, and it is the first year we will not be in it.

"Since January, we have played in a very difficult environment. It is very difficult for the group of players to cope with that - psychologically, the environment for the players was absolutely horrendous.

"It has been a difficult season, yes. Certainly my personal situation has contributed to that.

"I don't know why it was not sorted out but what is important is that we do our job.

"We are professional people and a part of being professional is to perform when the environment is not positive."

 Fans have consistently called for Wenger to leave the Emirates
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Fans have consistently called for Wenger to leave the EmiratesCredit: Reuters
 Arsenal have missed the Champions League for the first time in two decades
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Arsenal have missed the Champions League for the first time in two decadesCredit: Getty Images

Wenger's current deal will expire after the cup final and while it is largely expected that he will sign a new contract, he says he has had offers to manage elsewhere.

He added: "My personal situation tonight is not so important. I care about this club.

"Even if I leave one day, I will love this club until the last day of my life and I want the club to do
well.

"That's all I care about tonight. It's not my personal situation. It's just how well the club responds next season.

"You could not question my love or my loyalty to this club, because I said no to every club in the world to stay here with very restricted finances for years.

"So I don't understand really why the question that commitment."

 Wenger is also counting the cost of the game with Alexis Sanchez and Gabriel Paulista both doubts for the FA Cup final and Laurent Koscielny suspended
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Wenger is also counting the cost of the game with Alexis Sanchez and Gabriel Paulista both doubts for the FA Cup final and Laurent Koscielny suspendedCredit: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Wenger now has an injury crisis ahead of this Saturday's FA Cup Final.

Captain Laurent Koscielny was sent off in their bad-tempered win over Everton and is banned for the final.

Fellow defender Gabriel was also carried off on a stretcher and will undergo scans on his knee today.

While leading scorer Alexis Sanchez limped off with a hamstring injury and is also a doubt to face the champions.

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