Wenger rues trophy 'failures'

Arsene Wenger admits he shares Robin van Persie's frustrations over the club's trophy drought in recent seasons but has stressed the importance of keeping his squad together if that is to change.

Van Persie expressed his unhappiness last week at the club's failure to collect any silverware since the 2005 FA Cup win and, far from being annoyed by the Dutchman's comments, Wenger shares the sentiment.

"I feel that every time I don't win something I view that as a failure," said Wenger.

The Gunners host Roma in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie on Tuesday night and - with the Premier League title now out of sight - that competition, as well as the FA Cup, provides the best opportunity to collect silverware this term.

Wenger added: "I am here to win and give my best every time. Robin, too, is completely focused.

"He is motivated to do it, like the rest of the team. He knows he is at the right age to win trophies and he sees we have the potential to do it. He is, I must say, highly focused.

"What drives me personally is to be as good as I can. Sometimes to get the best out of the team, you sit down at the end of the season and think 'did I do it or not? Did I take the best out of the team or not?' I try to be as objective as I can.

"But you have to accept in Europe there are 20 massive clubs and there are 19 disappointed at the end of the season.

"Let's hope it is the other 19 who are disappointed this season."