Arsene Wenger maintains that Chelsea are virtually assured of winning the Premier League title this season, but has urged his Arsenal side to keep up their strong form as they bid to retain the FA Cup and finish second in the league.
The Gunners have won eight straight league matches – the longest winning streak of any side this season – and occupy second spot, seven points behind Chelsea who beat QPR 1-0 on Sunday.
Although Wenger has conceded that the west Londoners are “too comfortable” to catch, he is determined to ensure his side’s fine form does not falter.
“Nothing has changed,” the Frenchman told reporters. “They are still too comfortable, Chelsea.
“We need a perfect run and we need a non-perfect run from them. So we cannot master that. We can only master our own attitude. I feel they are still in a comfortable position.”
He continued: “We don't want to stop the run. There's a good attitude in the team and a great quality. We've won 16 of the last 18 so we are consistent.
“Let's see. It's a challenge for a team not to forget how much it hurts to lose a game and focus on winning the next one.
“We want to keep winning of course, because we have to look behind us as well. Man City, Man United, and after that you have three with Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham as well.
“We are in the FA Cup semi-final, we have six games to go with 66 points and we want to continue our run now.”
Arsenal overcame Burnley 1-0 en route to their eighth successive Premier League win, and Wenger admits his side were given a tough test at Turf Moor, with the Frenchman even hoping the Clarets stay up after such a plucky display.
“I'm pleased with the performance because it was more a fighting performance than a fluent performance and many people question us on that side,” Wenger added.
“I must say that I'm surprised by the quality of Burnley. It would be a shame if they go down because they are fantastically well organised, they press very well, they have a great solidarity and they are very fit.
“I understand now why they took points from the big teams here. We had to fight; we had to be combative until the end - we couldn't score the second goal.
“Our defenders played well today and that got us the three points. Our defenders, keeper included, deserve credit.”
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