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Wenger on the loss, regrets and defeat

Arsene Wenger spoke to the media after Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United. Below is a transcript of what was said:

on his thoughts…

I felt that we had a lot of the ball and a lot of possession. We favoured their game plan because we conceded two quick goals and at 2-0 down it is difficult. You have to take a gamble. I think the biggest regret was we had so much of the ball but we conceded three goals. It is difficult to win away from home after that.

on his regrets on playing an attacking team…

No because I’m convinced Welbeck, Walcott and Alexis can defend well when it is needed. When you analyse the goals, we lost the ball in our own half for the first one but after that they were just crosses today.

on the title…

Nobody knows. We dropped three important points today. We have to have a better level of fight than that and have to bounce back on Wednesday night and not feel sorry for ourselves. That is what it means. After, mathematically what is means, we will know at the end of the season .

on why Arsenal couldn’t score…

I think they defended well. Every time we could get into the flow they stopped us with little free-kicks in the middle of the park and then we had to play again. On the set pieces, I think we should have done more with the free-kicks we had around the box and from the middle of the park we weren’t dangerous enough.

on what he thinks of Van Gaal throwing himself to the floor…

Nothing.

on if managers should do that…

You will have to ask him that question. I’m not one to comment on that because after you will say I’m a sore loser and I am.

on disappointments at Old Trafford…

Let’s not go overboard. They had a few millions on the pitch today. From De Gea to their whole midfield who were experienced. They spent a lot of money on it. The player who was surprising for me was Rushford because the times we were in the danger was in the box and he could be a surprise for Manchester United from what I have seen today.

on why the big players didn’t turn up…

It is difficult to give my assessment after a game like that. I will leave that to you. You are big enough and strong enough to do that.

on the experienced players…

It was a different game for us. The team put the effort in but we struggled to be dangerous, that is true because they defended well. I will have to analyse the game again.

on the points dropped…

It is still possible. We will have to answer quick and strong.