Wenger: 'It can be a pivotal moment'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Our win over Chelsea had a double impact.
Mathematically, it keeps us in touch with the Premier League leaders, and psychologically it was important because we were questioned about our capability of winning big games.
I'm happy with the desire in the team. We kept good discipline for 90 minutes on Monday and put in a real team performance. Beating Chelsea can be a very pivotal moment because we know that beating the big teams at home will have an important impact on this league.
Having said that, now we have to respond away at Wigan on Wednesday night in a game where we have to turn up and take points.
Two years ago with the same players we were maybe battered by Chelsea but last year we felt we were getting closer to them. This year, at Manchester United and Chelsea, we were more frustrated because we were more in the game and there was no real difference between the teams.
Maybe we played with the handbrake on before and it was a slow learning process that we got out of our system on Monday night. I know Cesc Fabregas said we were maybe 'scared' to win and they are strong words, but maybe there was something in it. We didn't see that this time though. It was a locked game at the start, but the first goal gave a huge advantage.
We were good in the challenges too - we've improved on that front. We are not bullied any more, that is for sure. It's always very difficult to say because every game is different, but I feel we have matured over the last two years. But this league is very difficult to predict. Every game is difficult for everybody.
As for Chelsea, it is always difficult when you concede just before half-time when the game is so tight and especially in a big game. Then we got two big goals. They're a team that haven't won recently and the drop of confidence must have been felt. They must have felt they had a team with huge desire up against them.
But you never know with Chelsea - they have so many experienced players - and that's why we didn't expect any weakness from them before the game. We took our chances well and, at 1-0, we took advantage of catching them on the break. I still count Chelsea as one of the big title contenders though. I do not think they're out of it after their defeat to us.
Of course I don't think we're very far away in the title race either. We're in December and in touch with Manchester United. We have to be at our best and continue to improve. I hope the victory on Monday will convince the team that we are moving in the right direction and we continue to improve.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
2010-12-13 : Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal
Wenger: 'Our passing wasn't sharp enough'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Our intensity and organisation were at a high level on Monday night but overall I think that Manchester United defended very well.
The technical quality of the game was average on both sides because the pitch was very poor in my opinion. It was bouncy and slippery and the game suffered a lot from it.
Man United played a very simple game but they were efficient at it because they scored a goal and we didn't create enough chances. You have to give them credit because their defence didn't make any mistakes while our passing was not quick or sharp enough.
On reflection both teams played at the top level tactically but we were a bit nervous, especially at the start, and we couldn't get them out of position. All the same you have to give them credit for good defending.
They knew we keep the ball well and their team was built and focused to defend and catch us on the break. In fairness we were not dangerous enough to dominate the game and create chances. In the second half it was all us trying to get them out of position and create chances and them taking advantage of counter-attacks.
It is a big frustration and a big disappointment but what is important is that we bounce back in our next game against Stoke on Saturday. Overall on what I have seen tonight there is no reason not to believe and we know we can play better offensively.
Finally I must say that Wojciech Szczesny put in a good performance. He looked a bit nervous in his kicking in the first half but overall with his hands he didn't make any mistakes.
He came into the side because Lukasz Fabianski had an injury but in this job you don't look at the size of the game. When you have the quality, you play.
Every big goalkeeper has started at 18 or 19 years of age. For example I saw Edwin van der Sar when he was 18 and he played in big games.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
Our intensity and organisation were at a high level on Monday night but overall I think that Manchester United defended very well.
The technical quality of the game was average on both sides because the pitch was very poor in my opinion. It was bouncy and slippery and the game suffered a lot from it.
Man United played a very simple game but they were efficient at it because they scored a goal and we didn't create enough chances. You have to give them credit because their defence didn't make any mistakes while our passing was not quick or sharp enough.
On reflection both teams played at the top level tactically but we were a bit nervous, especially at the start, and we couldn't get them out of position. All the same you have to give them credit for good defending.
They knew we keep the ball well and their team was built and focused to defend and catch us on the break. In fairness we were not dangerous enough to dominate the game and create chances. In the second half it was all us trying to get them out of position and create chances and them taking advantage of counter-attacks.
It is a big frustration and a big disappointment but what is important is that we bounce back in our next game against Stoke on Saturday. Overall on what I have seen tonight there is no reason not to believe and we know we can play better offensively.
Finally I must say that Wojciech Szczesny put in a good performance. He looked a bit nervous in his kicking in the first half but overall with his hands he didn't make any mistakes.
He came into the side because Lukasz Fabianski had an injury but in this job you don't look at the size of the game. When you have the quality, you play.
Every big goalkeeper has started at 18 or 19 years of age. For example I saw Edwin van der Sar when he was 18 and he played in big games.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Monday, December 6, 2010
2010-12-04 : Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham
Wenger: 'Nasri is an exceptional talent'
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
It was a very important win on Saturday.
Overall, I think Fulham played well and we played well too. They put us under pressure because Gera and Kamara combined well and their midfield was efficient, they played quite a direct game to expose us with balls behind our defenders.
We needed not only quality but sprit and resilience and we got it. We scored two exceptional goals from Samir Nasri that were a combination of touch, intelligence, special talent and calmness. He needed to be patient to finish in both situations and he did very well.
I'm happy because when Samir joined us he had a game that was based on coming to the ball, but now he has so much more variation in his game.
Samir's game is improving and of course he is more efficient. What is important when you are a manager is that you want to get the best out of players and I always was a strong believer in him. Many people questioned me when I took him here, but he is showing that he has exceptional talent and I think there is more to come from him.
Johan Djourou came on for Laurent Koscielny when he was concussed and I have to say, Johan is doing very well. He has been out for a year and as you may have noticed, I have rotated him a little bit. We do not want to lose him and a guy that has been out for a year cannot play three games a week.
From the start of the season, Johan has gone from strength to strength and on Saturday, in the difficult period when we had to defend in the air, he was dominant. He has not only shown dominance but also personality. That's why I am very happy. He came here as a midfielder and we transformed him into a centre back.
I was asked after the game whether we can go on to win the title and I feel we are good enough. Every single team struggles to be consistent and at the moment, we are where we are despite losing three home games. That means every game is a cup final and if you are not ready for it you will not take three points.
We have the spirit and the quality but we face tough opponents and it will be down to consistency. We are a long way from winning the championship at the moment but the only thing I can say is we have the spirit and the desire to fight for it.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal Supporter,
It was a very important win on Saturday.
Overall, I think Fulham played well and we played well too. They put us under pressure because Gera and Kamara combined well and their midfield was efficient, they played quite a direct game to expose us with balls behind our defenders.
We needed not only quality but sprit and resilience and we got it. We scored two exceptional goals from Samir Nasri that were a combination of touch, intelligence, special talent and calmness. He needed to be patient to finish in both situations and he did very well.
I'm happy because when Samir joined us he had a game that was based on coming to the ball, but now he has so much more variation in his game.
Samir's game is improving and of course he is more efficient. What is important when you are a manager is that you want to get the best out of players and I always was a strong believer in him. Many people questioned me when I took him here, but he is showing that he has exceptional talent and I think there is more to come from him.
Johan Djourou came on for Laurent Koscielny when he was concussed and I have to say, Johan is doing very well. He has been out for a year and as you may have noticed, I have rotated him a little bit. We do not want to lose him and a guy that has been out for a year cannot play three games a week.
From the start of the season, Johan has gone from strength to strength and on Saturday, in the difficult period when we had to defend in the air, he was dominant. He has not only shown dominance but also personality. That's why I am very happy. He came here as a midfielder and we transformed him into a centre back.
I was asked after the game whether we can go on to win the title and I feel we are good enough. Every single team struggles to be consistent and at the moment, we are where we are despite losing three home games. That means every game is a cup final and if you are not ready for it you will not take three points.
We have the spirit and the quality but we face tough opponents and it will be down to consistency. We are a long way from winning the championship at the moment but the only thing I can say is we have the spirit and the desire to fight for it.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
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