Wenger: 'We showed we are ready for a fight'
Dear Arsenal supporter,
Like last weekend's draw with Sunderland, Sunday's game at Stoke was one we should have won 1-0.
There were lots of positives - we showed we have a very strong spirit, we were dominant in the challenges, we were prepared, highly-focused and defensively very strong overall.
But offensively we still have some work to do because we miss a bit of precision in the final third, in our movement and in our passing. We are used to finding each other blind in the final third.
Stoke deserve credit of course, they are strong defensively and experienced too. For us I would say it is two points dropped but having said that it is maybe a good point because it will be difficult for everybody to take points at Stoke.
I have seen other teams who go forward more, they open their game. That makes it easier to score, but on Sunday it was a fight for 90 minutes. The most important thing is that you learn about your team and I can see they are capable of standing up. They behaved like men who are ready for a fight and that is vital.
All that is missing up front is understanding and that's normal because one month ago Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud didn't know each other. There is some work to do on the training ground but you can feel the potential. At the moment we are not spontaneous enough in some situations but I am very positive about my team.
People will point out that we haven't scored yet and I cannot deny that. But we played against two teams who defend very well as a unit and overall I still believe we can be a contender in this championship.
I have heard some criticism of my strikers but I do not listen too much to what people say on TV. I listen and I try to see if it is exaggerated or not. But I have worked for 30 years on the football pitch and I know what it takes to improve a football player. Not everybody can say that.
The understanding can be built quickly but if we play as a team we will score goals. I remember I had the same questions to answer when Thierry Henry left as I have had with Robin van Persie. You have to take that into perspective and the positive for me is that you feel there is potential there.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
2012-08-18: Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland
Wenger: 'We lacked sharpness and fluency'
Dear Arsenal supporter,
We played with a good spirit on Saturday and we certainly put the effort in. But we lacked some sharpness and fluency and that made us less dangerous in the final third.
We did create a few chances but we couldn't convert them, and Sunderland defended very well throughout the whole game. When you play a team like that you have to be sharp enough to make the difference, otherwise it becomes very difficult.
Our balance wasn't quite right up front because we needed maybe one more creative player to improve our accuracy in the final third. There was not a lot of space left to our strikers, so everything had to be created from our midfield.
It is a missed opportunity of course, and it is always frustrating when you have so much possession and only get a point. You have to accept that you will have to settle for draws at different points of the season, but you don't want to start with one in the first game.
Our three new signings made their debuts and they all contributed. It's difficult not to be pleased with Santi Cazorla because he played on Wednesday night for Spain in Puerto Rico and all our chances were basically created by him.
I feel that Lukas Podolski is not physically ready yet but he has the quality to do well, and Olivier Giroud showed he has a presence when he is on the pitch. Olivier had a great chance on his right foot and I think he had more time than he thought.
I never denied that Robin van Persie will be difficult to replace but when you are on the football pitch you don't think about the players who are not there. You try to make a good pass when you have the ball. We had the opportunity to play the ball against Sunderland but our overall passing was not quick enough.
Finally, as you know the Club agreed terms to sell Alex Song to Barcelona. We did this because we have Jack Wilshere coming back, we have Abou Diaby back, we have Tomas Rosicky not far away and we will try to bring in another midfielder as well.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Dear Arsenal supporter,
We played with a good spirit on Saturday and we certainly put the effort in. But we lacked some sharpness and fluency and that made us less dangerous in the final third.
We did create a few chances but we couldn't convert them, and Sunderland defended very well throughout the whole game. When you play a team like that you have to be sharp enough to make the difference, otherwise it becomes very difficult.
Our balance wasn't quite right up front because we needed maybe one more creative player to improve our accuracy in the final third. There was not a lot of space left to our strikers, so everything had to be created from our midfield.
It is a missed opportunity of course, and it is always frustrating when you have so much possession and only get a point. You have to accept that you will have to settle for draws at different points of the season, but you don't want to start with one in the first game.
Our three new signings made their debuts and they all contributed. It's difficult not to be pleased with Santi Cazorla because he played on Wednesday night for Spain in Puerto Rico and all our chances were basically created by him.
I feel that Lukas Podolski is not physically ready yet but he has the quality to do well, and Olivier Giroud showed he has a presence when he is on the pitch. Olivier had a great chance on his right foot and I think he had more time than he thought.
I never denied that Robin van Persie will be difficult to replace but when you are on the football pitch you don't think about the players who are not there. You try to make a good pass when you have the ball. We had the opportunity to play the ball against Sunderland but our overall passing was not quick enough.
Finally, as you know the Club agreed terms to sell Alex Song to Barcelona. We did this because we have Jack Wilshere coming back, we have Abou Diaby back, we have Tomas Rosicky not far away and we will try to bring in another midfielder as well.
Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
Welcome Back ALL Gooners
Dear Gooners,
I really don't think that Arsenal will win the English Premier League title for the 2012-13 season. If they do, it would be a huge surprise for me. However, I do expect that they will finish in the Top 4 in the League again and put up a good fight in the Carling Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
So I think exciting times are ahead for The Arsenal this season. Therefore, for the 2012-13 season, I have decided to restart posting the Manager's View via weekly email.
So Enjoy the 2012-13 Season!!
I really don't think that Arsenal will win the English Premier League title for the 2012-13 season. If they do, it would be a huge surprise for me. However, I do expect that they will finish in the Top 4 in the League again and put up a good fight in the Carling Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
So I think exciting times are ahead for The Arsenal this season. Therefore, for the 2012-13 season, I have decided to restart posting the Manager's View via weekly email.
So Enjoy the 2012-13 Season!!
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