• Manager hails team's character after 1-0 defeat of Newcastle • 'We want to make additions but keep spirit of the squad'Arsène Wenger has heaped praise on his "special" players after securing a place in the qualifying round of next seas...
• Manager hails team's character after 1-0 defeat of Newcastle • 'We want to make additions but keep spirit of the squad'Arsène Wenger has heaped praise on his "special" players after securing a place in the qualifying round of next season's Champions League but pledged to strengthen his squad in the summer.Arsenal's 1-0 victory at Newcastle United assured them of fourth place in the Premier League and a 16th successive tilt at the Champions League, with the north London club finishing one point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.However, Wenger warned that Arsenal still have to win their Champions League qualification tie before advancing to the group stage of the competition. "It [qualification] means that we are able to play with the top teams in Europe, it means it's easier to bring in players," he said."Let's not forget that we are not in yet, we have to qualify and that is always a tricky round, but at least we have a chance."It has been a tumultuous season for Wenger's side following some painful defeats, most notably at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and the Frenchman said he was proud of his players who have ridden a number of "storms".However, while he praised their spirit he also revealed that adding fresh faces is now important. "We want to make additions to the squad but keep the structure and spirit of the team we have now," Wenger said. "There are many clubs out there with a lot of money and the competition is very hard. There is not as much talent as money today in football."I'm proud of the character and spirit after all we have had to deal with through this season. They are special, they have showed it in the last two months. They have been absolutely exceptional."I'm happy because the exceptional attitude and determination of this group of players has been rewarded, they continued to believe when we were seven points behind Tottenham in mid-March. You could never see a sign of giving in."I have had many groups in my life and this is one, on that front, has been absolutely outstanding, showing a combination of quality and attitude."I have always admired the way they have behaved and their focus every day training."The manager praised the consistency of his squad and pinpointed the 2-0 defeat of the Champions League finalists, Bayern, in the second leg in Munich , as a key moment."It's a good springboard for next season, to transfer that belief into the start of next season. The Bayern game changed our season away from home," he said.ArsenalArsène WengerNewcastle UnitedJames Riachguardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
