Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has commented on a range of speculation surrounding the club, and on a number of factors regarding the 0-0 draw in Monday’s game with Liverpool, in his post-match news conference.
Wenger commented on Aaron Ramsey’s goal that was controversially ruled offside in Monday’s game. The Welsh midfielder appeared to be completely onside, and therefore, the goal should have stood. Wenger said on if it was the wrong decision: “Yes. I cannot say the opposite. It was a regular goal.
“It was a period of the game where we maybe had the most problems defensively, but it’s a regular goal. I can’t see why it was cancelled.
“It’s clear and on that front you cannot say that Liverpool can complain.”
Wenger also said he spoke to the referee after the game, having been questioned on the matter. He said: “Yes. I didn’t ask for any explanation. What does it change? It’s about decision-making and he got it wrong.
“I could see live that he could not be offside. He started his run behind his man. I could see it from where I was, but I thought maybe the angle on TV was different.
“It was not and I must say that Liverpool played well in the first half. We were insecure defensively and we gave them many balls.
“We created trouble for ourselves but even in the first half we had chances.”
Many Arsenal fans were shocked to find both Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker absent from the starting lineup yesterday. Wenger clarified the situation, stating: “Mertesacker is sick. How long will that sickness take? I don’t know. Koscielny has a back problem.
“Having said that, our two centre backs played well in the second half.”
He also commented on how losing the clubs two first choice centre-backs affected the game yesterday: “Chambers and Gabriel do not have the experience of playing together, they’ve come in from one day into the next, but overall we didn’t concede.
“Petr Cech saved us two or three times in the first half. In the second half I think we should’ve won the game.
“We were a bit unlucky, we lacked a bit physically and collectively to finish what we started.
“Our game is still not fluent enough in the final third, and that’s why we didn’t score.
The West Ham game left a trace in our heads, and it was important tonight not to lose because you could see that was a shock for us and it was important for us to get that game out of our system.”
Calum Chambers had a poor game, giving away possession in dangerous areas and just generally looked uncomfortable. He got better as the game went on though, and Wenger commented on his response: “He responded well. It was important for him. You sit there and you wonder how far he can go without losing competitive confidence.
“In the second half he did well. He’s a good footballer and he will come out of that stronger, with the belief that when he had difficult moments he can come out of it stronger.”
On whether he was tempted to take Chambers off at half time, he said: “You’re always tempted. I wondered whether I needed offensive players on the pitch.
“I knew that the most important thing for us was to get to half-time at 0-0.
“We knew the second half would be different.”
Wenger’s attentions then turned to Petr Cech, who’s Man of the Match performance kept Arsenal in the game. He said to Arsenal Player after the game that the former Chelsea goalkeeper deserved “big credit” for his performance. Wenger said Cech was “superb” and “in the moments where we struggled he kept us in the game and he deserves a lot of credit for that.”
He reiterated this in the press conference, simply stating: “During that period, yes he was outstanding.”
Also asked on whether a clean sheet was a positive to take from the game, Wenger said: “Yes. You’ve summed it up well.”
Wenger also commented on transfer rumours and speculation surrounding the club. On whether Arsenal need to sign a ‘powerful’ midfielder, like Grzegorz Krychowiak, Wenger said: “Everybody has their opinion and everybody is entitled to have an opinion.
“I could prove to you that it’s not necessarily right, but let’s not go into that debate tonight.
“When you don’t win, you’re wrong and people always find reasons why. Are they the good reasons? I think I have enough experience and intelligence to know when it’s right and when it’s wrong.”
Wenger also came under fire after the game from Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United player Gary Neville for being ‘arrogant’ and not signing the aforementioned defensive midfielder. Wenger responded: “I don’t know what that has to do with arrogance.
“You find all kinds of attributes from this. I’m here so I’m quite used to it and I try to do my job well, which is all I try to do.
“I’ve been doing that for 20 years in England. After that, I leave the judgement to everybody, for them to assess the quality of my work.”
Wenger also commented on transfer rumours, mainly Karim Benzema, saying: “That story [is dead] but it has always been created every week, again and again.
“We do not master that situation. When the player has a contract it’s the club who owns the contract who decides that and I have said that many times.
“We want to master the situation of the players who are under contract with us. We had Wilshere and Welbeck out tonight, Alexis is not completely at his best.
“We know that we can score goals and we will score goals again.”
Arsenal have struggled to score at home in recent games and this is an issue Wenger addressed remarking “That will not last.
“It’s a fact, I agree, but I believe that we know we can score goals and that will come back.”
Wenger commented on the seeming lack of fluidity and conviction Arsenal have had in attack. He said: “The sharpness is missing a little bit in some players.
“I would like to give credit to Liverpool as well. They defended well, they were quick to close us down and we had problems getting out of position.
“With the domination we had in the second half, as long as you don’t score the first goal, the team doesn’t come out.
“We had the chances but we are still missing a little bit of a spontaneous attitude to finish what we start well.”
Wenger added how frustrating the lack of sharpness is, admitting: “We have started very averagely, I must concede, because we have four points after two home games.
“Maybe we won the most difficult game away from home.
“At home at the moment we haven’t scored.”
The boss also clarified the position of Danny Welbeck, who has been out for about 4 months through injury. Wenger delivered positive news stating: “After the international break, if all goes well, he can come back.”
