Arsene Wenger sure Arsenal will rediscover their swagger

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal’s recent slump is due to the fact his players have forgotten how good they are.

The north Londoners have toiled over the past few weeks, even failing to impress in the two matches they won against QPR and Reading. Those victories have not disguised what has been a serious drop in form that was epitomised at Manchester United on Saturday.

The Gunners were lucky to come away from Old Trafford with just a 2-1 defeat in a match which saw them dominated, outclassed and bullied. Wenger, though, believes it is confidence rather than his side’s defence that has resulted in the downturn and is hoping for a change in fortunes at Schalke in the Champions League tonight.

“I believe that if you look at our overall performance we are indeed good, we are still the best defence in the league,” the Arsenal boss said. “If you look at the goals conceded, I believe at the moment we don’t have to focus too much on that.

“I think what is most important is that we find our game back. Our game is about creating chances, about going forward, about having an offensive drive.

“That at the moment is a bit missing. I believe I have a team of great players and at the moment they have forgotten it a little bit how good they are.

“What is most important is that we play again with our enthusiasm, desire to create chances and enjoy our game, more than about do we concede a goal or not. That is the most important thing.”

Wenger will be without a number of important players tonight, with Aaron Ramsey joining a lengthy injury list and Theo Walcott a doubt due to illness.