By Lloyd Webb
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are keen to “put right” their Boxing Day defeat to Southampton.
The Gunners' impressive run of form over Christmas was halted when they were beaten 4-0 by the Saints at St Mary’s Stadium.
Ronald Koeman’s side visit Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, and Wenger expects his side to deliver a much-improved performance.
"You have to raise a little bit above the result and keep the positives. In that game there were a lot of positives"
Arsene Wenger
“They gave us a tough game last time and we have to put that right,” the manager said. “It is a very important time in the season as we go into big, big games and have 13 matches to go.
"They were dominant in the challenges and the duels. We just came out of a very tough game at Man City, and maybe didn’t have the urgency to cope with that. We were a bit unlucky with three goals on the decisions of the referee as well.
"The message [this time] is that we play at home and we want to put things right and put a strong performance in because the strength we show at home now in the remaining games can be decisive.
"The defeat against Chelsea was very unlucky, because our performance was right - it was not a Southampton performance.
"Our performance, our energy level, our commitment and the quality of what we did was very good. It is an encouragement. Sometimes you have to raise a little bit above the result and keep the positives. In that game there were a lot of positives.”
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