Arsene Wenger’s claim that some Premier League teams are already ‘on holiday’ is a deflection tactic by the Arsenal boss, according to Nigel Winterburn.

Wenger has suggested his side’s chances of securing Champions League qualification may have been damaged as a result of clubs outside the top six of not giving their best towards the end of the season.

His comments came a day after West Ham were thrashed 4-0 at home to Liverpool to leave Arsenal’s top four hopes out of their own hands.

“Some teams turn up, some teams are on holiday,” he said. “We had to fight very hard at Stoke and Southampton, but some teams once they are safe have a breather which didn’t happen 10 years ago.

“The league has changed mentally. Morally it has changed a lot. If we don’t have the results, I’m very disappointed but what is not excusable is not to give your best.”

Responding to Wenger’s outburst, Winterburn told talkSPORT the Frenchman could simply be trying to divert attention away from his own club’s failings this season.

The Gunners legend said: “Arsene Wenger is very, very intellectual and maybe he is just deflecting a little bit what is happening at the football club at the moment.

“It is sheer frustration. I think he believes his team are good enough to be at least in the top four and challenging for the title.

“They had that terrible run of form around the Christmas period and the players and manager couldn’t turn that around quick enough to give themselves a good chance to get into the top four.

“Arsenal have come back into good form, but you are always reliant on the teams above you dropping points and it looks like it is going to be too late for Arsenal.

“I can see the frustration but I don’t buy it because you have 38 games to finish where you do and along the season you will rest your own players to give them recovery and each team has their own right to do what they feel is right with the squad of players they have got.”