Interview

'You don't get away with defending like that'

Arsene Wenger was left to rue a costly defensive mistake against Stoke City, which resulted in the only goal of the game.

We enjoyed nearly 80 per cent possession at Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, but were undone by Jese's strike shortly after the restart.

Speaking after the game, the manager was critical of the team's defensive lapse, bemoaned our lack of sharpness in front of goal, and gave his thoughts on Hector Bellerin playing at left wing back.

on missing an end product…

We are very frustrated because we lost a game that we should have won and that's terrible to swallow. We had plenty of chances and on top of that, not only did we not finish, but we gave them an easy goal to score, just after half time. We knew at half-time it was very important to keep our defensive focus in this kind of game, (then) we came out and didn't defend properly. That's where we are not forgivable today. At the end of the day I believe when you are not concentrating on the way you want to play, you pay for it at that level. At the end of the day we had 80 per cent possession and we lost the game, away from home.

on a lack of cohesion up front…

Yes, I think sometimes our final ball was not good. Our focus to give the ball was not right and overall we should have done much better in our finishing.

on Alexandre Lacazette's disallowed goal…

It was a goal, it's as simple as that.

on maintaining positivity…

It is vital to not only see the negative side of it and to respond very quickly in the next game. But in the Premier League you do not get away with defending like we did on the goal. We have to realise as well, that if we want to transform the energy we put into the game as well like that, you have to defend properly, every single minute.

on playing Hector Bellerin on the left…

He can play there, I play him or Chamberlain there, and Chamberlin on the right looks good as well. Both of them are more right-sided players, I agree, and depending on the game I choose sometimes right and sometimes left.