We were indebted to Olivier Giroud after the France international scored the equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
Arsene Wenger was pleased with the France international’s contribution, but also hailed the impact made by Lucas off the bench.
- Read the report from the Vitality Stadium
- Cech - We showed great character
- 'I'm pleased... but I'm also frustrated'
The manager faced the media after the game, and this is what he said:
on how important Giroud is becoming now…
Every player is important. I thought Lucas came on and had an exceptional game. I said on Sunday that Giroud can score important goals - he has done that again today because when you play in the box he is dangerous. I think Lucas scored an exceptional goal of pure class. Giroud again scored because we dominated and he can score a header. Look, you have mixed feelings after a game like that because you wanted three points and you got only one. But when you are 3-0 down after 70 minutes you take a point as well.
on Coquelin’s situation…
Coquelin has a hamstring. It’s too early, you have to wait 48 hours for a scan to see. Usually when he sits down and comes up it’s not so good news. It’s just a tightness. The player tries to get on but he didn’t even try to play again.
on Bellerin’s night…
He had a knock, he was uncertain to play. That’s the problem when you have only 48 hours, you have to play some players who come out of a game like Crystal Palace [with knocks]. We had three or four players who we had to wait for the warm up to see if they could play.
on who the other three players were…
We had Koscielny, we had Gabriel that I didn’t start in the end because I was not in a position, and then I did not start Oxlade-Chamberlain because I did not take a gamble with him because I don’t know who we have to take off. You cannot take the fresh player out but then you cannot, the players who have played 48 hours before, you cannot take them out. It complicates a lot, the job. But we have to shut up and cope with it.
on why Koscielny came off…
He was tired, he had cramps in both legs and that’s why I decided to take him off.
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