Arsene Wenger bemoaned the decisions which led to the first three goals in Arsenal’s shocking 4-0 loss to Southampton.
The Gunners were sent crashing down to earth with a dismal performance and dealt a major wake up call at St Mary’s.
Ronald Koeman’s side were winners thanks to a double from Shane Long and goals from Cuco Martina and Jose Fonte.
Wenger gave his assessment after the loss, claiming the opponents’ physicality made it difficult.
I think Southampton made the game very physical and we lost many challenges and that explains why we lost the game. That is one aspect, so well done to them.
The second aspect is that on the first three goals we were really unlucky with the decision of the referee, the second goal was a foul and the third goal was a goal kick.
If you are a bit under level and on top of that you have the first three goals against you with decision-making, it is even more difficult.
A win would have sent the Gunners top following Leicester City’s defeat at Liverpool.
Wenger said he was disappointed with his sides performance but admitted have the opportunity to put it right on Monday.
I said before the game at the moment if we are one point ahead or one point behind it is not too important.
It is the performance that counts. We were not good enough to win the game and we have to look at that.
On the other hand we can’t look too much at that as in 48 hours we play again. We were disappointed and frustrated and the only way is to respond in 48 hours.
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are the visitors to the Emirates then and the Arsenal boss will be looking for a reaction from his men.
I must say they were sharper than us in the challenges and on that front we have to look at what we can master.
We cannot master the decision of the referee but we can master our own behaviour and I believe Southampton looked stronger in the challenges and we lost too many tonight.
