Wenger: 'We have to make sure we respond well'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We have to make sure we respond well.
West Brom played well on Saturday but we made it difficult for ourselves because we were not at our usual level. Not defensively, nor offensively.
Overall everything was difficult for us - passing the ball, winning the ball back, winning the one against ones - and we got what we deserved which was zero points. We didn't deserve more.
The positive is that we did fight until the last minute but it was just not good enough at that level to get three points.
Manuel Almunia was criticised for his mistake but there were question marks over many players. We made massive mistakes defensively and were collectively poor.
It was a bad team performance and we have to analyse why and make sure we respond well because we have an important game in Belgrade on Tuesday.
It would have been even more disappointing on Saturday if Chelsea had won because they would be seven points clear of us. But we can't look at the results of the other teams, we have to turn up with our own performance and we didn't do that against West Brom.
Next week's trip to Stamford Bridge is important of course and I believe we will see that Saturday's performance was an exception - until then we had very, very good games.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
2010-09-18: Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal
Wenger: 'We had chances to kill the game'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We faced the game we expected to face at Sunderland on Saturday and I felt overall our central defence and our goalkeeper dealt well with the situations we faced.
I believe the performance was good overall. We had problems starting in the first half but in the second half we played very well with ten men and were in control of the game. Unfortunately in the 95th minute they equalised.
We showed we could battle, we showed we could play, we had all the ingredients of a good team. We had chances to kill the game, especially when Tomas Rosicky had a penalty, but we didn't do it.
Alex Song was sent off and we were still in control with ten men but we couldn't score the second goal. And as long as you can't score the second goal you are in trouble.
Cesc Fabregas suffered a hamstring injury and you cannot measure how much of a loss he was. I believe you want Fabregas on the pitch but even without Fabregas we could have scored the penalty and won the game.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We faced the game we expected to face at Sunderland on Saturday and I felt overall our central defence and our goalkeeper dealt well with the situations we faced.
I believe the performance was good overall. We had problems starting in the first half but in the second half we played very well with ten men and were in control of the game. Unfortunately in the 95th minute they equalised.
We showed we could battle, we showed we could play, we had all the ingredients of a good team. We had chances to kill the game, especially when Tomas Rosicky had a penalty, but we didn't do it.
Alex Song was sent off and we were still in control with ten men but we couldn't score the second goal. And as long as you can't score the second goal you are in trouble.
Cesc Fabregas suffered a hamstring injury and you cannot measure how much of a loss he was. I believe you want Fabregas on the pitch but even without Fabregas we could have scored the penalty and won the game.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, September 13, 2010
2010-09-11: Arsenal 4 - 1 Bolton Wanderers
Wenger: 'It was a good test for our defence'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Overall it was a competitive game against Bolton on Saturday where we dominated and created many chances.
Mind you it was also the kind of game that you can drop points in if you don't kill the game off.
You can dominate 80 per cent of the time and still lose against Bolton because one or two balls, throw-ins or set pieces, can be dangerous and they are a good side in midfield as well.
They marked us very tightly and I think that led to a very physical game but they played well too. Owen Coyle uses the strong points of his team and I believe they have a good mixture between playing on the ground and being more direct.
It was a good test for our centre backs on Saturday and they did very well with Squillaci making his debut. But overall I am pleased with the performance of the whole team.
Bolton had full commitment but we needed to be patient, get our technique and passing to prevail and I was confident that it would. It was important not to make a second mistake after we conceded the equaliser.
I don't think Koscielny and Squillaci will have 18 or 19 home games like that! It was a good test for them and what I like is, for example, when Koscielny was knocked down he came back and still won every header after that. For somebody coming from the French league that is a good sign.
Cesc Fabregas was impressive. I have seen quite a few good performances from him and it is difficult to compare them. We play the game he loves to play and the game turns around him. He grew up in this team and to make this team win will be a bigger achievement than anything else.
Jack Wilshere started as well and he has every chance of playing a number of games this season. He is 18 years old but I consider him a player of the first-team squad. When he is on the pitch he is completely in the game.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Overall it was a competitive game against Bolton on Saturday where we dominated and created many chances.
Mind you it was also the kind of game that you can drop points in if you don't kill the game off.
You can dominate 80 per cent of the time and still lose against Bolton because one or two balls, throw-ins or set pieces, can be dangerous and they are a good side in midfield as well.
They marked us very tightly and I think that led to a very physical game but they played well too. Owen Coyle uses the strong points of his team and I believe they have a good mixture between playing on the ground and being more direct.
It was a good test for our centre backs on Saturday and they did very well with Squillaci making his debut. But overall I am pleased with the performance of the whole team.
Bolton had full commitment but we needed to be patient, get our technique and passing to prevail and I was confident that it would. It was important not to make a second mistake after we conceded the equaliser.
I don't think Koscielny and Squillaci will have 18 or 19 home games like that! It was a good test for them and what I like is, for example, when Koscielny was knocked down he came back and still won every header after that. For somebody coming from the French league that is a good sign.
Cesc Fabregas was impressive. I have seen quite a few good performances from him and it is difficult to compare them. We play the game he loves to play and the game turns around him. He grew up in this team and to make this team win will be a bigger achievement than anything else.
Jack Wilshere started as well and he has every chance of playing a number of games this season. He is 18 years old but I consider him a player of the first-team squad. When he is on the pitch he is completely in the game.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
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