Norwich City 1 Arsenal 2: Gunners still need to be stronger to get back to the top, insists Wenger

The 62-year-old Frenchman presided over the Gunners’ fifth straight league win at Norwich, where they came from behind with a brace from in-form captain Robin van Persie.

Afterwards, Wenger felt it necessary to clarify his position following an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe which seemed to suggest he was contemplating leaving his post.

With the board and majority shareholder Stan Kroenke completely behind their manager as he has dragged the team through one of the most testing starts of his 15-season tenure, Wenger is not about to get carried away with bold statements.

He said: “For me, it is a non-story. The club can decide to get rid of me tomorrow morning, but I cannot interfere with that decision.

“I have two more years to go, will stay and that is it.”

Wenger continued: “There is a fantastic spirit in the side, and it is a great pleasure to work with the players.

“We have to show we can go very far.

“However, we have some way to go to show this is the right way.

“We will see at the end of the season.

“I am very positive, but over the coming months we have to show how successful we want to be.

“I feel the team wants it, and that is what is in front of us now.”

Just as the Arsenal manager was not ready to cave in following an appalling start which saw three defeats in five league games, he will not get carried away despite now being within striking distance of the top four once again. Wenger said: “Five weeks ago, we were 17th in the league and I had to answer a question ‘do you think you play for relegation?’

“In football, things change quickly, so you are always on the short term.

“What is important for us is we are back in a stronger position, so let’s continue to develop because we need to become stronger to come back to the top.”

Norwich manager Paul Lambert said: “Arsenal are a very good side and deserved to win on the day. But it’s another learning curve for us as we try to aspire to that level.

“We were always in the game which is pleasing.”

Asked about his attacking approach to the game, the Scot said: “We always think we can win games. We got off to a good start, Steve’s goal lifted the crowd but Arsenal came back strongly and you can see they are a very good side.”