Wenger: Negativity can spread quickly

By Chris Davie

Aug 19, 2013 8:02:00 AM

The 63-year-old highlights the importance of his side's result against Fenerbahce on Wednesday but is confident that his players will bounce back after losing to Aston Villa

Arsene Wenger warns that negativity could spread quickly in Arsenal's squad following their season-opening defeat against Aston Villa.

Despite taking the lead through Olivier Giroud, Wenger's men slumped to a 3-1 loss following Christian Benteke's double and Antonio Luna's strike.

Arsenal were booed off at the final whistle but the 63-year-old believes that his side's campaign will be built on the result of their Champions League play-off tie against Fenerbahce on Wednesday.

"There's always a lot of dangers in a team as it's a human activity multiplied by 25. That means negativity can arrive quickly and spread quickly," Wenger told reporters.

"But it's the first game of the season and we want to bounce back. I believe our season will depend on how we respond to this defeat.

"What is important is to rebuild the confidence of the team before Wednesday night. That's a massive game for us but we'll bounce back because the spirit is good. We are short but we can only play with the players we have.

"Even if you go on the Eiffel Tower and you throw the money away, you have to play with the players you have." --------------------- goal.com