Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal manager Wenger on the loss
on the defeat…
It’s disappointing to lose the game the way we lost it. I felt that we were a bit nervous at the start of the game and didn’t play our game against a team of Manchester who was nervous, a bit insecure and we gave them a little bit of comfort by making the mistake at the first set-piece – or the second. After that we lost too many balls and we rushed our game in the first half. In the second half when we played our game we played in one half and they counter-attacked a few times but we didn’t find the opportunity to equalise. We had the opportunities but we missed always a few inches to push the ball in the net and they were well focused to defend and defend and then try to catch us on the break – that happened once or twice in the game. Overall it’s disappointing to lose the game like that because I think we had the opportunity at least to get a draw out of this game.
on it affecting the players who did play…
No I don’t think. They declared themselves fit so when you play, you play so there is no excuse. I felt that physically we were alright, maybe we lacked a little bit. I just think we were too nervous in the first half but until the end we looked like we could score. We were always dangerous but we lacked a little bit of quality in our final ball or a bit of sharpness maybe to finish on crosses but the opportunities were there.
on what he puts the nervousness down to…
Maybe the fact that we haven’t won for a long time here [Old Trafford] and that it was a big game. Once again it was a tight game that has been decided by a set-piece. That’s what we will keep from this game. We knew that could happen but after that we had a go and we gave absolutely everything until the last minute. This team has a great heart so I feel sorry for my players tonight.
on six points separating the top eight teams…
Six points is not too bad after 11 games. What we have learnt again today is that not only that Man United could beat Arsenal but everybody can beat everybody in this Premier League. Sunderland beat Man City and that shows you how much excitement you will have until the end of the season.
on the quality of the top teams…
I don’t know because you have for example a team like Southampton who is close to the top but they have three international players in the England squad. They have Luke Shaw is not far, they have they say [Nathaniel] Clyne is not far. That means maybe the whole Premier League has gone up. I don’t think necessarily players like [Robin] Van Persie are not as good as last season or two seasons ago. It’s just the whole quality has gone up.
www.arsenal.com
David Moyes on an important win
“This was a big result for us today.”
“Arsenal have been in terrific form and we had to play well to get the win. I didn’t think anyone was ever going to run away with the league.
“I think there will be a lot of ups and downs, it’s a close league this year and there will be a few shocks. We had one or two ourselves in the early part of the season, but I’m pleased that we’re showing a bit of consistency and momentum. Let’s hope it continues.”
I thought we started the game well, and were very good in the opening 20 or 30 minutes,” said Moyes. “In the end, I thought determination, effort and good play helped us in the second half when we were under more pressure.
“I thought we did that [restricted Arsenal] much better in the first half. We gave them a little bit too much room in the second half. But in the first half, we used that and made some opportunities. I actually think that our best opportunities came in the second half, and we didn’t take them. Overall, it’s three important points.”
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