Arsene Wenger says his side must be “on their toes very quickly” if they are to respond positively to their opening-day defeat to West Ham United.
The Gunners went into the game as favourites, but goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate condemned them to a home loss.
Wenger was frustrated with the display, but says the squad must react in the right way before next weekend’s clash at Crystal Palace.
"We were not convincing going forward or defending. On top of that we were very naive"
Arsene Wenger
“I knew before the game that it would be tricky,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “We were not convincing going forward or defending.
“On top of that we were very naive. With the experience we have in our defence and our goalkeeper, the way we have given the goals away means that we can only blame ourselves.
“In a way that is difficult to understand because if you don’t win a game, you don’t want to lose it the way we lost it - just before and just after half-time.
“After it was difficult because we had to come back to 2-1 at least and we couldn’t because it was laboured, it was not sharp, it was not agile, it was not quick.
“I knew we had a very difficult schedule from the start, especially with West Ham playing Europa League for their preparation and that is why we have to be on our toes very quickly and respond very well now.”
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