Wenger: 'There is a lot more to come from my team'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We were very dominant in the first half-hour at Aston Villa and the only regret I had at that stage was we had not scored enough goals.
We did make it 2-0 just before half-time but you could feel among the players that what happened last week against Tottenham had had an impact in their heads. So when it came back to 2-1 it was an interesting test. We could crumble or we could score again.
We scored again.
Villa are a good side with good strikers and a solid defence but overall I think we dominated the game. Andrey Arshavin was always dangerous on the day. You always like him to have the ball because you feel he could make the difference.
The result put us top of the Premier League for a while. That's the modern world of football - it changes quickly. What you have to do is focus on the quality of what you want and let other people judge. I feel we played very well against Tottenham and they created less chances than Villa did on Saturday but we still lost the game.
In fact I believe we had three good performances last week. We had a lot of possession in a difficult game in Braga and responded well at Villa.
I say that because I focus on the performance. You do not always lose when you dominate games and that's what happened at Villa. We played well, Villa had a good response in the second half but we managed to find the resources to win the game.
Right now, I feel this team are on the same wavelength in the way they want to play and the way they fight for each other.
It's very interesting to see and I think there is a lot more to come from them in the rest of the campaign.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
2010-11-20 : Arsenal 2 - 3 Tottenham Hotspurs
Wenger: 'It's difficult to understand how we lost the game'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We could not maintain our focus nor our urgency for 90 minutes on Saturday because some players dropped their level. At the same time if you look at the stats and the numbers it's very difficult to understand how we lost the game.
There was a drop of concentration, some basic errors, some bad luck as well because I don't think it should have been a free kick in the build-up to the penalty. But overall I was speechless after the game; it's a mystery how we could lose it like that.
We were in control in the second half as well as the first half. It was a free kick for us and then a goal for them. We were caught on the counter-attack at 2-0 and after that we were punished. We dominated Tottenham but we lost it and we can only look at ourselves.
I believe what is difficult to accept is that when you are 2-0 up, you have a free kick and you are caught on a counter-attack. That is very difficult to understand. Once a team comes back to 2-1 they have hope again. And we couldn't take our third chance. We had plenty of chances to score: we had Chamakh, Koscielny, one or two shots, but we didn't take those chances.
I don't think we lacked focus - if we had not started the game well maybe you could say that. But I felt some players who played midweek - who played Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday - could not maintain the pace in the game so we had some heavy legs in the second half.
Obviously three defeats at home is too many. In the first two games against West Brom and Newcastle we didn't deliver the performance and we can only say that we got what we deserved. On Saturday we delivered the performance but what is worrying for me is that we had an opportunity to go to the top of the league and when we had to deliver we couldn't.
That's worrying because that's part of our job.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
We could not maintain our focus nor our urgency for 90 minutes on Saturday because some players dropped their level. At the same time if you look at the stats and the numbers it's very difficult to understand how we lost the game.
There was a drop of concentration, some basic errors, some bad luck as well because I don't think it should have been a free kick in the build-up to the penalty. But overall I was speechless after the game; it's a mystery how we could lose it like that.
We were in control in the second half as well as the first half. It was a free kick for us and then a goal for them. We were caught on the counter-attack at 2-0 and after that we were punished. We dominated Tottenham but we lost it and we can only look at ourselves.
I believe what is difficult to accept is that when you are 2-0 up, you have a free kick and you are caught on a counter-attack. That is very difficult to understand. Once a team comes back to 2-1 they have hope again. And we couldn't take our third chance. We had plenty of chances to score: we had Chamakh, Koscielny, one or two shots, but we didn't take those chances.
I don't think we lacked focus - if we had not started the game well maybe you could say that. But I felt some players who played midweek - who played Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday - could not maintain the pace in the game so we had some heavy legs in the second half.
Obviously three defeats at home is too many. In the first two games against West Brom and Newcastle we didn't deliver the performance and we can only say that we got what we deserved. On Saturday we delivered the performance but what is worrying for me is that we had an opportunity to go to the top of the league and when we had to deliver we couldn't.
That's worrying because that's part of our job.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, November 15, 2010
2010-11-14 : Everton 1 - 2 Arsenal
Wenger: 'We showed our fighting spirit'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
The most important qualities we showed at Everton were discipline, commitment, togetherness, desire and a 100 per cent focus for 90 minutes. That is what got us the points.
When you go to Goodison Park without those qualities you don't get the points. We have had two very difficult away games with Wolves and Everton and we have got six points that have put us in a good situation. We were a bit disappointed after last Sunday's defeat to Newcastle but I feel that was under special circumstances. Overall the team has shown great spirit.
The performance at Everton showed we have quality and fighting spirit. That is an ingredient you will need if you want to fight for the championship like we want to do. I have said for a long time that we are equipped to challenge for the title and the players get a lot of encouragement from the way they are playing at the moment, from our discipline and our focus. Now let's get more points into our account and see where we stand in the end.
Once again Lukasz Fabianski made some important saves late in the game. He was important for us because when we were 2-0 up I felt we tried too much to keep that scoreline and kept the ball in a negative way instead of wanting to go forward. We were nearly punished because we became a bit too conservative.
I took Jack Wilshere off at half time but he is not injured. I wanted a second holding player to win the second balls from headers and I felt Jack looked a bit tired because he has played many games. I wanted to take him off because of that but he will be alright to join up with the England squad.
Nicklas Bendtner was not in the squad on Sunday because he had a little groin problem so I left him at home. The Danish national squad can call him up and check his condition but I would prefer him not to go. He would prefer to stay as well.
There has been speculation about Nicklas but I want him to stay. I have known him since he was 16 years old and I have a good rapport with him. I like him as a player and as a person. I want him to stay and be part of the group.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
The most important qualities we showed at Everton were discipline, commitment, togetherness, desire and a 100 per cent focus for 90 minutes. That is what got us the points.
When you go to Goodison Park without those qualities you don't get the points. We have had two very difficult away games with Wolves and Everton and we have got six points that have put us in a good situation. We were a bit disappointed after last Sunday's defeat to Newcastle but I feel that was under special circumstances. Overall the team has shown great spirit.
The performance at Everton showed we have quality and fighting spirit. That is an ingredient you will need if you want to fight for the championship like we want to do. I have said for a long time that we are equipped to challenge for the title and the players get a lot of encouragement from the way they are playing at the moment, from our discipline and our focus. Now let's get more points into our account and see where we stand in the end.
Once again Lukasz Fabianski made some important saves late in the game. He was important for us because when we were 2-0 up I felt we tried too much to keep that scoreline and kept the ball in a negative way instead of wanting to go forward. We were nearly punished because we became a bit too conservative.
I took Jack Wilshere off at half time but he is not injured. I wanted a second holding player to win the second balls from headers and I felt Jack looked a bit tired because he has played many games. I wanted to take him off because of that but he will be alright to join up with the England squad.
Nicklas Bendtner was not in the squad on Sunday because he had a little groin problem so I left him at home. The Danish national squad can call him up and check his condition but I would prefer him not to go. He would prefer to stay as well.
There has been speculation about Nicklas but I want him to stay. I have known him since he was 16 years old and I have a good rapport with him. I like him as a player and as a person. I want him to stay and be part of the group.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, November 8, 2010
2010-11-07 : Arsenal 0 - 1 Newcastle
Wenger: 'We were never in full flow'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
I think against West Brom we were complacent but that wasn't the case against Newcastle on Sunday.
In fairness the two teams who have beaten us at Emirates Stadium are good teams. They have shown that before and when we met them. But on Sunday we were never in full flow. We played against a good Newcastle team who are a team of men, physically strong and mature.
Overall I still believe we were very unlucky to lose the game. They had one shot on target and that was their goal. Apart from that they defended well and we were not sharp enough to get them out of position quickly enough.
We were a bit unlucky because we hit the post two or three times and their keeper made a very good save. But we put ourselves in a bad position just before half time with the goal we conceded.
Lukasz Fabianski didn't have a lot to do and I don't think he was expecting the challenge when Andy Carroll scored. It was not a technical mistake from Lukasz, it was a problem of timing. Carroll is certainly a handful though.
Laurent Koscielny was sent off for a professional foul on Nile Ranger but in my opinion he should not have been sent off because it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity and he was not the last man. Sebastien Squillaci was covering him so I personally don't think it was a red card.
Overall though our home form is a concern because even against Birmingham and West Ham we struggled to win. Everybody comes here and plays very tight and when we are not in full flow we have problems to play through the lines.
When you score the first goal it is alright because teams have to come out but as long as they can sit deep we have a problem to play through when we are not at full power.
One plus point from Sunday was the return of Robin van Persie. You could see he is not completely ready but we pushed him on early because I had to do something. You saw it was very difficult for us to score a goal and there could always be a set-piece or a cross or a pass where he could make a difference.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
I think against West Brom we were complacent but that wasn't the case against Newcastle on Sunday.
In fairness the two teams who have beaten us at Emirates Stadium are good teams. They have shown that before and when we met them. But on Sunday we were never in full flow. We played against a good Newcastle team who are a team of men, physically strong and mature.
Overall I still believe we were very unlucky to lose the game. They had one shot on target and that was their goal. Apart from that they defended well and we were not sharp enough to get them out of position quickly enough.
We were a bit unlucky because we hit the post two or three times and their keeper made a very good save. But we put ourselves in a bad position just before half time with the goal we conceded.
Lukasz Fabianski didn't have a lot to do and I don't think he was expecting the challenge when Andy Carroll scored. It was not a technical mistake from Lukasz, it was a problem of timing. Carroll is certainly a handful though.
Laurent Koscielny was sent off for a professional foul on Nile Ranger but in my opinion he should not have been sent off because it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity and he was not the last man. Sebastien Squillaci was covering him so I personally don't think it was a red card.
Overall though our home form is a concern because even against Birmingham and West Ham we struggled to win. Everybody comes here and plays very tight and when we are not in full flow we have problems to play through the lines.
When you score the first goal it is alright because teams have to come out but as long as they can sit deep we have a problem to play through when we are not at full power.
One plus point from Sunday was the return of Robin van Persie. You could see he is not completely ready but we pushed him on early because I had to do something. You saw it was very difficult for us to score a goal and there could always be a set-piece or a cross or a pass where he could make a difference.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
2010-10-30 : Arsenal 1 - 0 West Ham
Wenger: 'We needed patience and intelligence'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
When you win with two minutes to go it is always a relief.
We needed to be patient, intelligent and not make a mistake at the back on Saturday against a West Ham team that had a strong spirit and were well-organised.
We showed patience because in the first half it was difficult to get into the flow of our passing so we had to wait until they got a bit fatigued. West Ham kept going and we did as well. We kept the structure of our game right, we didn't do anything stupid, we kept trying to be intelligent and that in the end got us the goal with two minutes to go.
I thought we might drop points when Theo Walcott's shot hit the post and then bounced back into the goalkeeper's hands. That is usually not a good sign But we kept going and out of this game we can say we have once again shown a great attitude and we have matured. You can see that when it doesn't work for us the players remain calmer than before.
Alex Song scored and he is adding that to his game because he had three good chances on Saturday. He has got the taste to go forward, even if I think a little too much sometimes for a holding midfielder!
Denilson has had three good games in a week - he played the whole 90 minutes at Manchester City, the whole 90 minutes at Newcastle and he did quite well on Saturday because he defended very well at the moment everybody went forward. Jack Wilshere is coming back and can play with Denilson and Song. I have potential to rotate the team because we have Diaby and Ramsey to come back as well.
I am asked about the title and I believe we have a good chance but we want to show consistency first. We go step by step. I believe we still need to step up a gear to completely achieve that. But on the other hand you feel as well that there is more to come out from this team because we had strength on the bench on Saturday and we still have some players to come back.
If we can keep a good injury record then we have a chance. It's too early in the season to be sure but I have belief. We have to show we can handle every single game with the different challenges that the Premier League has. You saw on Saturday that we played against the bottom team in the Premier League and it was a real battle. We have to show we can compete like that in every game.
Of course we have now kept three clean sheets in a row. That's new for me! A day where I don't have to look on the television slow motion to see why we conceded a goal does not happen often so I am very happy with that.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
When you win with two minutes to go it is always a relief.
We needed to be patient, intelligent and not make a mistake at the back on Saturday against a West Ham team that had a strong spirit and were well-organised.
We showed patience because in the first half it was difficult to get into the flow of our passing so we had to wait until they got a bit fatigued. West Ham kept going and we did as well. We kept the structure of our game right, we didn't do anything stupid, we kept trying to be intelligent and that in the end got us the goal with two minutes to go.
I thought we might drop points when Theo Walcott's shot hit the post and then bounced back into the goalkeeper's hands. That is usually not a good sign But we kept going and out of this game we can say we have once again shown a great attitude and we have matured. You can see that when it doesn't work for us the players remain calmer than before.
Alex Song scored and he is adding that to his game because he had three good chances on Saturday. He has got the taste to go forward, even if I think a little too much sometimes for a holding midfielder!
Denilson has had three good games in a week - he played the whole 90 minutes at Manchester City, the whole 90 minutes at Newcastle and he did quite well on Saturday because he defended very well at the moment everybody went forward. Jack Wilshere is coming back and can play with Denilson and Song. I have potential to rotate the team because we have Diaby and Ramsey to come back as well.
I am asked about the title and I believe we have a good chance but we want to show consistency first. We go step by step. I believe we still need to step up a gear to completely achieve that. But on the other hand you feel as well that there is more to come out from this team because we had strength on the bench on Saturday and we still have some players to come back.
If we can keep a good injury record then we have a chance. It's too early in the season to be sure but I have belief. We have to show we can handle every single game with the different challenges that the Premier League has. You saw on Saturday that we played against the bottom team in the Premier League and it was a real battle. We have to show we can compete like that in every game.
Of course we have now kept three clean sheets in a row. That's new for me! A day where I don't have to look on the television slow motion to see why we conceded a goal does not happen often so I am very happy with that.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
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