2010-03-29 : Birmingham City 1 - 1 Arsenal

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