Arsène Wenger... Frenchman thinks that a lack of concentration has cost his side

UEFA Champions League Arsenal Match Menu FC Porto

Arsenal 4-0 FC Porto

UEFA Champions League

Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 19:45

Wenger - We need to work on our mental game

By Richard Clarke

A few years ago Arsenal were vulnerable to the physical side of football. The problem was solved by the acquisition of couple of big, strong players plus a little patience as the Club’s youngsters developed.

The perfect illustration came earlier this month, when Arsène Wenger’s side proved their power with victories at two bogey grounds - Bolton and Blackburn.

These days the Arsenal manager is far more concerned about the mental aspect of their game. When switched on, the Frenchman believes his side are rock solid at the back. But Wenger believes the shock defeat to Hull on Saturday shows they still need mental focus.

“I think we are more solid than ever when we are completely switched on,” he said. “But at the moment I am not sure we can focus all the time in every single game, especially when we think the game will be easy.

“In the past we have been beaten physically, we have been intimidated. We know we can deal with that now but we are sometimes a bit too confident in the home games when we need to put some effort in.

“[Hull] is a good learning curve because you cannot get worse than that. It shows we are not completely there on the mental side and that is where we have to work."

[Tuesday, September 30, 2008]

Print this page Email to a friend
2009/10 Third Kit: Order Yours Now!

Bookmark with…

Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

© Arsenal Broadband Limited 2009 - Terms of Use & Privacy Policy - Website accessibility statement - Site powered by NTT Europe Online | Rippleffect