'We pay for every mistake we make’

By Lloyd Webb

Arsene Wenger says his side are “paying for every mistake” they make at the moment.

The Gunners have only won four of their past 14 matches and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford on Sunday.

The Hornets only had seven shots on goal compared to Arsenal’s 20, and Wenger says his side are being punished for their profligacy.

“A very long run [in the FA Cup] comes to an end in a very sad way because I felt we had the opportunities to win this game, and it was down to keeping it 0-0,” he told Arsenal Player. “In the second half our discipline went a little bit defensively and we were caught on it.

“The first goal we couldn’t clear the header and after that we were caught. The second goal was a great goal from them, it was a great shot. You can’t do a lot about it.

"I believe that we gave very few chances away but unfortunately we paid for everything we gave away. It is very sad at the moment to realise no matter what happens, we pay for every chance we give away.”

Arsenal now face a trip to Barcelona on Wednesday before visiting Everton, and Wenger says his side must give an instant reaction.

“We want to now focus on the Champions League and then we go to Everton and that schedule is very tight,” he said. “It is very difficult playing on Sunday afternoon, Wednesday night and then Saturday morning. It is important that we respond very quickly.

“We play a big game and players want to play in the big games. When you have a big game in front of you, you want to prepare well and show how good you are. I think that is natural.”