Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Crystal Palace at the Emirates stadium in London August 16, 2014.
Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Crystal Palace at the Emirates stadium in London August 16, 2014. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Arsenela boss Arsene Wenger believes that Cristiano Ronaldo's extraordinary tally in front of goal for Real Madrid this season might have an effect on his top rival, FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese international has aleady netted 23 goals in all competitions, thus far, while the diminutive Argentinean only has 11 to his name.

Messi has been played out of his usual position upfront by Barca boss Luis Enrique, and such may be detrimental to his side in general.

"When Messi sees that Ronaldo has scored so many more goals than him, it will play on his morale," he toldBeIn Sport.

"On the wings, he cannot maintain his goal average. In the long term, he won't be happy.

"The best player in the team has a power within the club. He can make the coach better if there is chemistry between them.

"So, if his position doesn't suit him, it weakens the team as whole."

The Blancos (27 points) have won all of their six recent fixtures in the La Liga, overtaking Barcelona (25 points) in the process and are now occupying the top spot, while the Catalan outfit have lost two of their three previous games.

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