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Wenger - We weren’t calm enough

Arsène Wenger believes his side “didn’t look calm enough when we had the chances” in Sunday’s goalless draw at Sunderland.

Arsenal had 20 shots, seven of which were on target at Stadium of Light, but were denied by a combination of some errant finishing and former Gunner Vito Mannone in the home side’s goal.

That frustrated the manager, particularly given that his team would have climbed back above Manchester City and into third with a win.

"We didn’t make enough with the possession we had and the chances we created, so we have to be supportive of the team at the moment"

“I think we played very well in the first half,” he told Arsenal Player. “Unfortunately we couldn’t take our chances and in the second half we dropped a little bit physically, because we played three games in seven days and our cohesion was less good.

“We didn’t make enough with the possession we had and the chances we created, so we have to be supportive of the team at the moment and keep going.

“I think we had very good opportunities. We didn’t look calm enough when we had the chances. Sometimes we gave the ball a bit late but overall I think the first half was very interesting.”

Sunderland had vocal appeals for a first-half penalty turned down when Jermain Defoe’s fierce shot hit Per Mertesacker’s arm from close range. Wenger believes Mike Dean got the decision right.

“I think it wasn’t a penalty on either side,” he added. “We had exactly the same on the shot from Alex Iwobi.

“I don’t think it was a penalty and when you’re close to the guy who takes the shot, it can happen. It has to be a deliberate handball.”

 

Alex Iwobi had a number of good chances at Sunderland

Alex Iwobi had a number of good chances at Sunderland