Arsene Wenger spoke to the media after Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
on a nervous finish…
Yes it was tight at the end because we couldn't score the second goal. I feel that we became cautious in the second half. Our first half was quite good. We were in control and played well with 11 against 11. Up to half-time we were alright with 11 against 10. In the second half, I felt [we wanted] to protect the lead and not to make a mistake. The final 10 minutes were really nervy because they started to play direct. They had a few dangerous balls in the box and it was difficult but it's still a very important win for us.
on the red cards…
I spoke with Giroud. He said to me that he slipped at the moment he went for the ball and it's confirmed by the television. I haven't seen it but he's not a tackler. He went over the ball and knowing that Sidwell had been sent off before, I had no illusion of the colour of the card.
on if he will appeal Giroud's red…
I have to see it again. I haven't seen it on television.
on Sidwell's red card…
Sidwell's challenge was in front of me. I've seen that better. I think the referee had only the red card to give.
on Arteta avoiding a serious injury…
He played the second half but I don't know how much damage it's done. It was a kick. I don't know if he has twisted his ankle a little bit or not. In this kind of things, it's just a question of a fraction of a second. If you are fully on your foot at the moment you get it, you break your leg. If you just ease a bit off [you can prevent injury]. Maybe that's why he got away with it.
on getting protection…
Against Everton it was a very physical game. Somewhere I feel that physically we were a bit jaded today in the second half, maybe because we gave a lot against Everton. I've seen that Everton lost at Sunderland. It was a very physical game on Tuesday night.
on the second-half performance…
I put it down to psychological reasons and to the fact that we didn't want to be stupid. You are a bit under pressure when you play 11 against 10 because you think that with every foul you risk a second yellow card so they do not go in the challenges. The crowd is behind their team. it becomes a different problem. In the end, we have a fantastic spirit and that got us through.
on if Arsenal are favourites for top-four place now…
We are on a strong run and we just go into the next game and focus on winning that. The next game will be Man United so it's a good challenge for us.
on putting pressure on teams around them…
It's important for us to win our games of course.
on Wilshere needing a rest…
He played on Saturday and he played on Tuesday. He is still not completely recovered and pain free. I took the decision to rest him today.
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