Premier League week 20: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
It was a difficult game for the Gunners against valiant Magpies. The relief came from French International defender Laurent Koscielny and Arsenal confirms first place is not a fluke. Manager Wenger comments after the win:
on the three points…
It was a difficult game against a good Newcastle side. Our legs were heavy today, I must say. Overall we were tested against a team with a lot of technical quality and our fluency was not there and our movement was not there. Our motto was try to stick together and win the game how we can. The mental aspect of our team and our defence mentality was tested today rather than our quality going forward.
on Petr Cech…
He made two big saves, one in the first half and one in the second half and on top of that he gives calm dynamics. Today we needed that.
on if Cech is one of his best signings…
I read more about the bad singings I have made so I don’t know.
on winning ugly…
I have been in football long enough to know if you are Newcastle’s players you feel for them because they played very well. But I know because I have been in a long time when you are capable to win and don’t play well that shows a mental aspect of your team that will be very important in moments that will be difficult.
on Mathieu Flamini…
Flamini has played well and it was a difficult game for the midfielders because they put a lot of pressure on us and we didn’t find our combinations. You never know when you play in midfield if you move away from the ball and get into areas where you can get the ball or if you sit. He is intelligent and has experience.
on the win…
To not drop points with the way we played today, I think it is very important. It helps the team as well because you go through moments where you don’t play well. The memory of having done that before and still having won the game, helps you to hang on sometimes.
on a title-winning performance…
It is too far. We are on 42 points. Let’s be realistic. I think we should focus being on a strong performance and focus more on our performance. We try not to look too much at the other results and for us it is important to get the quality of our game back.
on being out of form…
A little bit. I think we have given a lot during Christmas and we have had games before over Christmas. At the end of the day what do people look at after Christmas? Four games and how many points you have made. Nine points is acceptable or even good. Ten is close to ideal because you look at last year and I think Manchester City made 10 and after the second best made seven and we made six or seven. Manchester United made seven, Manchester City made 10 points over Christmas. Nine is not bad.
on Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil…
They did quite well in the minutes they stayed on because I put Ozil centre forward and he has quality to keep the ball and run from deep spaces and Aaron Ramsey can do that.
