Wenger: It's a big blow to our title chances
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Saturday was a big disappointment because we had the game won at Birmingham and we had the chance to score the second goal.
I believe the pitch was very difficult to play on and it was a scrappy game. We gradually got on top and played the second half in their half of the pitch, but they defended well and made the game difficult. In the end we got caught when Almunia deflected the ball into his own goal.
Of course it is disappointing to concede so late but football is never finished when two teams fight until the end. We had the chance to score the second and to keep the ball. The last thing you want is a free-kick against you but that is what happened.
Cesc Fabregas picked up an injury in the first half and we will assess him before the Barcelona game. He got tackled on the knee. We tried to take him off at first but afterwards he said he was OK and he finished the game.
Injuries were the reason Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri started the game on the bench. Andrey had a groin problem and Samir had a knee problem from the last game against West Ham.
Of course the result is a big blow for our title chances. We were in a position where we had to win all our games and not to win on Saturday is a big blow to take.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
2010-03-20 : March Arsenal 2 - 0 West Ham
Wenger: We were more urgent when we had 10 men
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
I believe we played an outstanding game on Saturday against West Ham.
We played with class and spirit and we kept our nerve when the situation became difficult. Overall we showed a good attitude, good maturity and, in the important moments, we were decisive in every department. I am thinking about the goalkeeper here and then moving Alex Song to centre back; everybody adapted very well to the situation and technically I believe we were outstanding.
I felt the red card for Thomas Vermaelen was very harsh. We have seen this situation many times in the game without it being punished at all.
But Manuel Almunia silenced the critics with his save. He had a few problems at the start of the season but in the last two or three months I have found him to be outstanding. Credit to him.
Our 2-0 victory took us up to second in the table and we know that at least one of Manchester United and Chelsea will drop points between now and the end of the season. They play each other later on.
Obviously we have lost home and away to both teams this season but, it does not matter to me, I would still take the title!
That same situation happened with Manchester United when they were champions last year. And yes, it's a point of view. But then, ideally, you would want to win all 38 games and everyone would say: 'they deserve it'. You never have the perfect season.
Right now we are in a position where we can show people that we have improved. We've already improved our consistency. I don't know where we will finish but let's go for it now.
We are in a strong position in the Premier League table after the win against West Ham but we still have to focus on our quality and continue to improve. So now let's just be better in our next game and that's at Birmingham on Saturday.
With the results we are making, we can only go from game to game. But we know we have the desire and we have the quality.
Finally, I'd just like to let you know that Robin van Persie should be back at the Club this week. We sent our fitness coach out to Holland where he has been having his rehabilitation. Physically he looks very sharp but we aim to wait at least a month for him. So we need to be patient.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
I believe we played an outstanding game on Saturday against West Ham.
We played with class and spirit and we kept our nerve when the situation became difficult. Overall we showed a good attitude, good maturity and, in the important moments, we were decisive in every department. I am thinking about the goalkeeper here and then moving Alex Song to centre back; everybody adapted very well to the situation and technically I believe we were outstanding.
I felt the red card for Thomas Vermaelen was very harsh. We have seen this situation many times in the game without it being punished at all.
But Manuel Almunia silenced the critics with his save. He had a few problems at the start of the season but in the last two or three months I have found him to be outstanding. Credit to him.
Our 2-0 victory took us up to second in the table and we know that at least one of Manchester United and Chelsea will drop points between now and the end of the season. They play each other later on.
Obviously we have lost home and away to both teams this season but, it does not matter to me, I would still take the title!
That same situation happened with Manchester United when they were champions last year. And yes, it's a point of view. But then, ideally, you would want to win all 38 games and everyone would say: 'they deserve it'. You never have the perfect season.
Right now we are in a position where we can show people that we have improved. We've already improved our consistency. I don't know where we will finish but let's go for it now.
We are in a strong position in the Premier League table after the win against West Ham but we still have to focus on our quality and continue to improve. So now let's just be better in our next game and that's at Birmingham on Saturday.
With the results we are making, we can only go from game to game. But we know we have the desire and we have the quality.
Finally, I'd just like to let you know that Robin van Persie should be back at the Club this week. We sent our fitness coach out to Holland where he has been having his rehabilitation. Physically he looks very sharp but we aim to wait at least a month for him. So we need to be patient.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, March 15, 2010
2010-03-15: Hull City 1 - 2 Arsenal
Wenger: We got jaded but we kept going
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
It was a very big win at Hull on Saturday.
When you play a difficult game in midweek there is a lot of mental tension but we went to the KC Stadium and won, so of course it is a big three points. We know what is at stake every time you go away like that. We needed the three points and we got it after 90 minutes, exactly like at Stoke. It tells you that it was a difficult game, but as well that we have desire and mental strength and we never give up. And for such a young team that is great.
I did see us scoring a winner but I could also see us missing out because we had the chances to score. And when you miss so many obvious chances, then you think you will be punished. We're always leaving it until late at the moment, maybe it's not good for my heart, but for the championship, it's not bad.
As for the title race, I believe that we are in the fight and we have eight games to go. We are in there, so why should we not believe? What I especially believe is that we will give absolutely everything to win it and we have seen that again at the weekend. We got jaded but still kept going. There is team spirit there and it is special. You can see that.
Some people have said that Sol Campbell should have been sent off in the second half but I don't agree - it was a good tackle on Zayatte. Some thought Sol might have received a red card when he gave away the first-half penalty but, having seen it Vennegoor of Hesselink played it in an intelligent way.
He did what a striker does in the box, he went straight at Sol and the defender had no other option but to touch him. But there was no real intention to give away a penalty. It was accidental, and the striker was not in a position to score at the moment he was touched. But of course, Vennegoor of Hesselink was offside at the start of the move.
Nicklas Bendtner scored once again, that makes it four goals in two games since he missed those chances against Burnley. You are always judged on the performance of the day, and on that day maybe he deserved the criticism. But the best way to answer the critics is to come up with a better performance and he has done that.
Finally, we should have some good news on the injury front because Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas both have a good chance to be ready for the West Ham game. William Gallas will not be fit but Sol Campbell is OK to start if we play once a week. When we play three games per week it is a bit too much.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
It was a very big win at Hull on Saturday.
When you play a difficult game in midweek there is a lot of mental tension but we went to the KC Stadium and won, so of course it is a big three points. We know what is at stake every time you go away like that. We needed the three points and we got it after 90 minutes, exactly like at Stoke. It tells you that it was a difficult game, but as well that we have desire and mental strength and we never give up. And for such a young team that is great.
I did see us scoring a winner but I could also see us missing out because we had the chances to score. And when you miss so many obvious chances, then you think you will be punished. We're always leaving it until late at the moment, maybe it's not good for my heart, but for the championship, it's not bad.
As for the title race, I believe that we are in the fight and we have eight games to go. We are in there, so why should we not believe? What I especially believe is that we will give absolutely everything to win it and we have seen that again at the weekend. We got jaded but still kept going. There is team spirit there and it is special. You can see that.
Some people have said that Sol Campbell should have been sent off in the second half but I don't agree - it was a good tackle on Zayatte. Some thought Sol might have received a red card when he gave away the first-half penalty but, having seen it Vennegoor of Hesselink played it in an intelligent way.
He did what a striker does in the box, he went straight at Sol and the defender had no other option but to touch him. But there was no real intention to give away a penalty. It was accidental, and the striker was not in a position to score at the moment he was touched. But of course, Vennegoor of Hesselink was offside at the start of the move.
Nicklas Bendtner scored once again, that makes it four goals in two games since he missed those chances against Burnley. You are always judged on the performance of the day, and on that day maybe he deserved the criticism. But the best way to answer the critics is to come up with a better performance and he has done that.
Finally, we should have some good news on the injury front because Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas both have a good chance to be ready for the West Ham game. William Gallas will not be fit but Sol Campbell is OK to start if we play once a week. When we play three games per week it is a bit too much.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, March 8, 2010
2010-03-08: Arsenal 3 - 1 Burnley
Wenger: It was closer than you or I expected
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Saturday's game was closer than you and I expected but we had the chances to score plenty of goals.
We didn't take our chances and that's why I believe it was very tight until the end. It could have been four, five or six for us but as well Burnley had a chance to make it 2-2 after a corner. In the end you are happy when you miss the chances we missed but you still get the three points.
I believe our first goal was a great goal and after that we created some magnificent chances, we just could not finish the game off. But the first ball from Nasri was fantastic, the finishing of Fabregas was class. And for the second goal Theo Walcott gave a great response to his critics.
I think Theo does what a player has to do - not talk in the newspapers and let your performance talk on the pitch. He didn't answer any critics other than with a good performance and that's what you want from a player. That shows he is mentally strong.
I was interested to see how he would respond on Saturday. I was quite sure he would respond with a good performance but you never know, it affects you when you get criticised. The way he answered that at his age is remarkable.
Nicklas Bendtner missed some chances and underneath I am sure he is really disappointed. Everybody has a different way to show his emotions, and he hides well, but he cares. Overall in his game, he was quite good. In his finishing, he missed chance after chance, but if you are a striker, it is like that.
You think 'I missed the first one, but I will score the next one'. Once you have missed the second one, you are in trouble because after you do not know how to take the third one - 'do I really go for it, or wait for the ball?' That is what happened to him on Saturday. I always feel sorry for someone who missed the chances. You are only angry if a guy is not committed enough.
As for the title race, as I have said before it is down to our consistency. If we win our games, we will be there, that is for sure. But we have experienced again that every game demands full focus and commitment. When you play against teams who fight not to go down, they will fight until the last minute. Next week we play at Hull and expect exactly the same type of game.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Saturday's game was closer than you and I expected but we had the chances to score plenty of goals.
We didn't take our chances and that's why I believe it was very tight until the end. It could have been four, five or six for us but as well Burnley had a chance to make it 2-2 after a corner. In the end you are happy when you miss the chances we missed but you still get the three points.
I believe our first goal was a great goal and after that we created some magnificent chances, we just could not finish the game off. But the first ball from Nasri was fantastic, the finishing of Fabregas was class. And for the second goal Theo Walcott gave a great response to his critics.
I think Theo does what a player has to do - not talk in the newspapers and let your performance talk on the pitch. He didn't answer any critics other than with a good performance and that's what you want from a player. That shows he is mentally strong.
I was interested to see how he would respond on Saturday. I was quite sure he would respond with a good performance but you never know, it affects you when you get criticised. The way he answered that at his age is remarkable.
Nicklas Bendtner missed some chances and underneath I am sure he is really disappointed. Everybody has a different way to show his emotions, and he hides well, but he cares. Overall in his game, he was quite good. In his finishing, he missed chance after chance, but if you are a striker, it is like that.
You think 'I missed the first one, but I will score the next one'. Once you have missed the second one, you are in trouble because after you do not know how to take the third one - 'do I really go for it, or wait for the ball?' That is what happened to him on Saturday. I always feel sorry for someone who missed the chances. You are only angry if a guy is not committed enough.
As for the title race, as I have said before it is down to our consistency. If we win our games, we will be there, that is for sure. But we have experienced again that every game demands full focus and commitment. When you play against teams who fight not to go down, they will fight until the last minute. Next week we play at Hull and expect exactly the same type of game.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, March 1, 2010
2010-03-01 : Stoke City 1 - 3 Arsenal
Wenger: We want to win the title for Ramsey
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We were in the title race before the Stoke game and mathematically we got closer to Chelsea on Saturday because they dropped points. It strengthens our belief and our determination and we will fight until the last game of the season to win the League.
But of course our 3-1 win was overshadowed by the serious injury to Aaron Ramsey. I didn't see many bad tackles in the game but that one was and it makes me very sad. To lose a player of that quality at 19 years of age when he is just starting his career is just horrendous. It is difficult to accept.
I cannot do anything about it of course. The players are professional and they have to respect the rules and each other.
I would prefer to give my support to Ramsey rather than to play the judge. He is a young, fantastic talent and for a boy of 19 with his talent to be kicked out of the game like that is beyond words. I could not even enjoy the win on Saturday night because it is so sad to see that.
As you could see our players were shocked by the incident. You could see that they moved away from him. For five minutes our game was affected because we did not play. After that we got back into the game and showed great character to win it.
The title race will be tight until the end but this group is so strong mentally and have a unity so Aaron’s injury will give us one more reason to fight until the end and do it for him.
We had other problems two years ago when Eduardo was injured. But on Saturday we had a midfield of Nasri, Fabregas, Ramsey, Song, Eboue – with an average of 20 or 21. Up front, Bendtner is 21. At their age, to handle the game like they did is absolutely remarkable.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We were in the title race before the Stoke game and mathematically we got closer to Chelsea on Saturday because they dropped points. It strengthens our belief and our determination and we will fight until the last game of the season to win the League.
But of course our 3-1 win was overshadowed by the serious injury to Aaron Ramsey. I didn't see many bad tackles in the game but that one was and it makes me very sad. To lose a player of that quality at 19 years of age when he is just starting his career is just horrendous. It is difficult to accept.
I cannot do anything about it of course. The players are professional and they have to respect the rules and each other.
I would prefer to give my support to Ramsey rather than to play the judge. He is a young, fantastic talent and for a boy of 19 with his talent to be kicked out of the game like that is beyond words. I could not even enjoy the win on Saturday night because it is so sad to see that.
As you could see our players were shocked by the incident. You could see that they moved away from him. For five minutes our game was affected because we did not play. After that we got back into the game and showed great character to win it.
The title race will be tight until the end but this group is so strong mentally and have a unity so Aaron’s injury will give us one more reason to fight until the end and do it for him.
We had other problems two years ago when Eduardo was injured. But on Saturday we had a midfield of Nasri, Fabregas, Ramsey, Song, Eboue – with an average of 20 or 21. Up front, Bendtner is 21. At their age, to handle the game like they did is absolutely remarkable.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
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