Wenger: My players proved mental strength with spirited draw against Man City

By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:30 EDT, 30 March 2014 | Updated: 17:30 EDT, 30 March 2014

The anguish was etched across Arsene Wenger’s face as he was asked about the preceding seven days.

‘How bad has this week been? Very bad, very, very bad,’ the Arsenal manager said, puffing out his cheeks to accentuate his agony.

‘We went through a nightmare at Chelsea where you think you have not even a chance to play the game. 

Letting loose: Mathieu Flamini (right) nets the equaliser for Arsenal against Manchester City

Letting loose: Arsenal's afternoon got off to a bad start after David Silva (right) drew first blood

Release: Arsene Wenger admits that he is glad to end a bad week on a relatively positive note

‘On top of that, in the last second of the game, we score an own goal in the match after, against Swansea.’

Indeed, conceding six at Stamford Bridge and gifting Swansea a point are unlikely to appear in Wenger’s career highlight reel.

But his side’s dogged response to falling behind against Manchester City on Saturday offered Wenger some hope that Arsenal are putting the effects of a tumultuous week behind them.

Once again, against one of their title rivals, Arsenal started sloppily. They should have been behind by the time David Silva put Manuel Pellegrini’s side ahead in the 18th minute. 

The Gunners could easily have capitulated, like they did against Chelsea, Liverpool and City earlier in the season. 

However, we saw a different side to Arsenal; a less expressive side, perhaps, but a side more suited to games against the country’s elite.

It was fitting that Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal’s tenacious French central midfielder, grabbed the equaliser for the north Londoners.

Playing through pain? Santi Cazorla was another stand-out performer for Arsenal in the second half

Bouncing back: Flamini (right) netted an own goal against Swansea City to held the Welsh side a point

Painful: Chelsea smashed Arsenal 6-0 at Stamford Bridge to effectively end their Premier League title hopes

Likewise, Santi Cazorla, who, Sportsmail understands, has been playing in pain in recent weeks because of an ankle injury, typified his side’s spirit, leading the comeback with not only his usual technical brilliance but also fortitude in abundance.

Wenger’s men will need more of that determination over the next fortnight to ensure their season doesn’t collapse.

They face Everton, their closest rivals for that vital fourth spot in the Premier League table, at Goodison Park on Sunday before the trip to Wembley for their FA Cup semi-final against Wigan on Saturday week.

Ready? Arsenal face their closest rivals for the top-four spot Everton soon

‘The last week has been very hard, but very positive as well as it is always a chance to show you have mental strength,’ said Wenger.

‘I am very proud of my players because they have shown that against Manchester City.

‘We have gone through an absolute nightmare — we have gone through a storm this week. 

‘It is difficult to protect the players from that. The only way you can deal with it is to respond on the pitch.

‘We have leaders in this team.’