Arsene Wenger spoke to the media after Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Read a full transcript:
on the game…
We defended well. We scored early but I think going forward, we didn’t produce enough. When we went forward, we always looked dangerous to score but were we too focused to defend our goal? I think so. I believe that we made too many technical mistakes compared to our usual level, because of Tottenham in the middle of the park. They put us under pressure and we lost some balls we are not used to losing.
on Harry Kane…
He was good as always. He grows and he has a good determination. He doesn’t stop, he keeps going. The regret I have is that we gave him a cheap goal. It’s worrying that at the back, with five minutes to go, we are always there ready to make the same mistakes. Overall, we defended with solidarity but the biggest regret is that we didn’t have a good day. We can do much better - that is for sure and that is the positive of the day.
on the goals…
They were cheap goals. Tottenham didn’t create so much, but I think we didn’t produce enough.
on Rose’s challenge on Giroud…
I saw it. Not everybody saw it.
on if Rose should have had a greater punishment…
I have made my statement.
on losing…
It leaves us with a big disappointment to swallow first and then to prepare for the next game. We have played two more away games than Spurs, who have played 13 at home and 11 away. We have played 13 away and 11 at home. It’s down to our home form now - we know we can win away from home but it will be a battle until the end. It has been every year with Spurs. We just have to focus on us, because there are many teams fighting to get in there [the top four].
on if it’s good to have another game soon…
Yes it’s good. If you respond well, it’s very good. We play at home against Leicester, a team who fight not to go down. We have to recover from the disappointment and be ready to respond very quickly.
on if teams are fighting for third and fourth…
Four teams at least, certainly.
on if Kane should play for England…
When you have scored the number of goals he has scored, if you don’t put him in there, somebody will give him a passport to another country.
Danny Welbeck
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