Wenger Sees Experience as Key to Arsenal's Revival, Hails Van Persie's Leadership

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the club's senior players have been vital to the Gunners' recovery this season.

A string of bad results earlier in the season saw Arsenal going down the league table and defeats against AC Milan and Sunderland knocked them out of the Champions League and FA Cup respectively, raising questions about the future of the club.

But now Arsenal has a good chance of finishing the season strongly by getting into the top four and earning the right to play the Champions League next season.

And Wenger feels the experience and positive attitude of the players and the coaching staff has helped the club immensely during tough times.

"Of course you question yourself, and you question what you can do about it, even more than you do when all is going well," the Daily Mail quoted Wenger.

"When things are going well the players, the press and the fans all have more certainty, and so it's easier. But it's these moments when experience helps, because it's important not to question and change the wrong things.

"Part of the job is to make decisions, and in the end somebody has to do that. You have to be decisive - it's better to make a bad decision than no decision at all," the manger opined.

Wenger said that contrasting fortunes of this season tested the mental strength of his players, though he always believed that they would come back strongly.

"Personally I never question the attitude of this team, which I may have done in some previous years. But this season, never. I've always returned home thinking this team will never give up, they are always ready for a fight."

Wenger said Robin van Persie had done an outstanding job of leading the team, as had many players - people like (Thomas) Vermaelen, (Mikel) Arteta, (Alex) Song, (Bacary) Sagna. He credited senior players with having played a big part in setting the tone in the squad.

The manager also identified the 5-2 victory over local rivals Tottenham Hotspur as the turning point of Arsenal's season.

"We have shown an exceptional response, togetherness and belief," the Frenchman said.

"I am very proud of that because certainly the way we came back against Tottenham strengthened that belief and also created optimism around the team again with our fans. That result also helped us to then come back against Liverpool and Newcastle," he added.

Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday, in a match crucial for both teams as the Gunners battle Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle United for a top four spot and City look to close down the five-point gap with league leaders Manchester United.