|
|
Arsene Wenger: Arsenal will strive for the title until the last minute of the season
Gunners boss unwilling to relinquish Premier League dream...
10 Feb 2010 23:06:00
By Owen Watson
Arsene Wenger described his Arsenal side's 1-0 victory over Liverpool as a “massive result” after Abou Diaby clinched the points at the Emirates Stadium.
“It is a massive result for us because we had a massive disappointment in the last two games,” Wenger told Sky Sports.
“We showed great mental strength, great solidarity, against a very well organised team and it was very difficult,” he continued. “Liverpool played very well as well, were often very tight. We refused to give up and came back with a convincing victory.”
Wenger explained he was pleased with his side's defensive performance, given the threat that Liverpool posed going forward.
“Liverpool are a very good side going forward, with [Steven] Gerrard always on the ball of course they are dangerous but we defended well, were resilient and determined and we got a great goal. We could have maybe scored one or two more as well, but it was a very tight game,” he said.
On Liverpool's late penalty claim - when a Gerrard free kick was blocked by Cesc Fabregas' raised hand on the edge of the area - Wenger admitted he was worried but pointed out that he didn't think it was a free kick in the first place.
“Frankly on that situation it was no free kick in the first place because first Steven Gerrard went for a free kick and he got one. I think it was a bit harsh for us.”
The Arsenal manager also thought his team could have had a penalty themselves when Nicklas Bendtner was booked for diving in the second half.
“I thought it was a penalty but I have to look at it again to see if he touched him or not, was it a dive or not, I hope not,” he added, before reiterating his delight at the result.
“It is a fantastic night for the club because nobody imagines and realises how hard it is to play [Aston] Villa and Man United and Chelsea and Liverpool just on the trot without having any time to recover,” he explained. “It was very important to win first and straight away to be back after Sunday's disappointment to six points [behind league leaders Chelsea], it's great for us.”
Asked if Arsenal were back in the title race, Wenger was emphatic.
“Why not? Let's win our games and I said from the first minute on after Sunday's game we will fight until last minute of the season and they have shown that tonight, so let's be faithful to what we promised.”
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
“It is a massive result for us because we had a massive disappointment in the last two games,” Wenger told Sky Sports.
“We showed great mental strength, great solidarity, against a very well organised team and it was very difficult,” he continued. “Liverpool played very well as well, were often very tight. We refused to give up and came back with a convincing victory.”
Wenger explained he was pleased with his side's defensive performance, given the threat that Liverpool posed going forward.
“Liverpool are a very good side going forward, with [Steven] Gerrard always on the ball of course they are dangerous but we defended well, were resilient and determined and we got a great goal. We could have maybe scored one or two more as well, but it was a very tight game,” he said.
On Liverpool's late penalty claim - when a Gerrard free kick was blocked by Cesc Fabregas' raised hand on the edge of the area - Wenger admitted he was worried but pointed out that he didn't think it was a free kick in the first place.
“Frankly on that situation it was no free kick in the first place because first Steven Gerrard went for a free kick and he got one. I think it was a bit harsh for us.”
The Arsenal manager also thought his team could have had a penalty themselves when Nicklas Bendtner was booked for diving in the second half.
“I thought it was a penalty but I have to look at it again to see if he touched him or not, was it a dive or not, I hope not,” he added, before reiterating his delight at the result.
“It is a fantastic night for the club because nobody imagines and realises how hard it is to play [Aston] Villa and Man United and Chelsea and Liverpool just on the trot without having any time to recover,” he explained. “It was very important to win first and straight away to be back after Sunday's disappointment to six points [behind league leaders Chelsea], it's great for us.”
Asked if Arsenal were back in the title race, Wenger was emphatic.
“Why not? Let's win our games and I said from the first minute on after Sunday's game we will fight until last minute of the season and they have shown that tonight, so let's be faithful to what we promised.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
