Press conference

Wenger - How to get out of a negative away spiral

Having dominated the first half at St James’ Park, Arsene Wenger admitted afterwards that it was “very harsh to swallow” losing to Newcastle United.

The result means we are still to pick up a point on the road in 2018 and afterwards the Arsenal manager faced the media. This is what he said:

 

on the game…

It’s a bit the story of the season. We had 70 per cent of the ball, were 1-0 up and in the end you lose 2-1 and you wonder how you can lose this game. That’s what happened today. I think the game could have been over at half-time. We conceded two goals from nowhere. In the second half I feel that some players paid a little bit physically having played the game on Thursday night in Moscow. We came back on Friday morning late. Overall we played with a good spirit but with a bad result. We have to deal with that unfortunately. It’s very disappointing because I feel it’s very harsh to swallow a defeat like that, and the way we conceded three points today

.

on concerns at losing five league games in a row…

Of course it’s a concern because traditionally we have a very strong record away from home. It has a subconscious weight in our minds. Once you’re in a negative spiral like that, it’s very difficult to get out.

 

on how we get out of that spiral…

By just focusing on the game and on our performances. I feel today the team gave everything and we have to keep playing like that [and] we’ll win games.

 

on if playing well and losing is a worry character-wise…

I do not want to go to different conclusions today. I think it’s very difficult to combine the Europa League on Thursday night and then playing Sunday morning. You play in Moscow, you come home, you play again away from home. This game is a bit special. On top of that I must say the attitude of our team was spot on from the start on. But it didn’t work and I have to be realistic enough to say that maybe our balance offensively and defensively doesn’t work.

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