Arsenal vs Norwich: Arsene Wenger hits back at critics who questioned side's attitude after Premier League title flop

Wenger says there is no questioning his side's attitude this season despite Arsenal's title challenge falling apart in 2016

Arsene Wenger has hit back at Arsenal's critics (Getty)

Arsene Wenger has hit back at critics who questioned his side’s attitude and spirit, despite admitting that Arsenal’s season has been a “frustrating” one because they should be battling for the Premier League title.

Arsenal’s season has fallen apart in 2016 despite being well placed to challenge for the Premier League at the turn of the year, and elimination in both the Champions League and FA Cup soon followed to leave the club fighting for a top-four finish rather than the title which most expected to come to the Emirates this season.

Given Chelsea and Manchester United’s struggles and Manchester City’s mid-season slump, Arsenal had the perfect opportunity to pull clear and end their 12-year wait for a title success, only for Leicester and Tottenham to gap them at the top of the table and leave the Gunners looking over their shoulder.

Questions were raised over the temperament of the Arsenal squad, in particular their big-name players such as Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey, but Wenger has hit back and says the attitude shown throughout the season has been nothing short of exemplary.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday evening’s visit of Norwich, Wenger said: "It is very frustrating. We were in a position where we could compete for the title.

"This team has character and a good attitude. Some people question that, but they shouldn't.

"Our attitude has been impeccable from day one this season. We want to fight together until the end. We work together closely and have a good professional attitude. We have to focus on the next game."

Arsenal’s form in 2016 has fallen well short of what is expected from potential title contenders, with the side winning just six of their 16 Premier League matches this calendar year, and Wenger’s team have taken 25 points from a possible 48 – leaving them 12 points off leaders Leicester and just five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who have played a game less.

The one positive to come out of Wenger’s press conference was that he confirmed Santi Cazorla is ready to return to action after five months out with a knee injury. The Spanish midfielder has not played since limping out of the reverse fixture at Carrow Road in November, and Wenger admitted that he is in contention to face Norwich at the Emirates.

"We have no big injury problems. The players are available now. That looks good for the summer,” said Wenger. “Santi has been out since November. He has been training the last two weeks. He might be involved.”

Santio Cazorla is in line to return from injury against Norwich (Getty)

Addressing this weekend’s opposition, Wenger said: “We have to stop Norwich from combining well. It is also important to score early.”

Victory could go a long way to confirming Arsenal’s top-four status for a 20th consecutive season, with United facing a Leicester side on Sunday that can win the title with a victory. Should Arsenal triumph and United falter, the Gunners will have an eight-point buffer to their rivals, with United having three matches remaining in the season.