Wigan 0-1 Arsenal:
Coach Wenger quotes after the game:
on a tough game…
It was a very different game [from Reading]. They stopped us from playing and they did that very well – especially in the middle of the park. We didn’t find the same fluency going forward. It was much more a win because we really wanted a result more than because we dominated the game. We had chances, but, especially in the final part of the game [it] was difficult to come out at the back and master possession. They had a lot of possession in the end but we really wanted it. It’s good because [we showed] more determination than domination in the final part of the game.
on Wigan’s penalty appeals…
I’ve just seen it [the appeal for handball against Vermaelen]. That is not a penalty. I haven’t seen the appeal against Gibbs. I have just seen Vermaelen [and] that is not a penalty. Honestly, the ball comes like that on the arm – you have to raise your hand. The Gibbs [incident] I didn’t see.
on three League wins in a row…
It’s good but not enough. We want more. I hope that gives us a bit more belief and confidence and that we can play with a much more positive environment. We had to show nerve and we did it. Overall, it gives us a week to prepare [for] the next game and hopefully at home we can continue to win our games. Away from home, our record is quite good. We have only lost two games – at Man United and Norwich – since the beginning of the season. It’s an important part of the season now.
on if the players will be off on Christmas day…
Yes certainly.
on if it’s better to have the time off…
I would prefer to play. When the team is on a roll, you want them to go out and play. Physically, it was a difficult game for us. Maybe we need a little breather because we played two hours at Bradford and then at Reading, and today [was another] physical game on a very heavy pitch.
on Walcott playing centrally…
I wouldn’t like to judge him on one game. For me he has the ingredients to play there. I wouldn’t like to judge him on one game. He did not have much service today, he was a bit isolated. He can always be decisive, even if he does not have the greatest service. Today he made the decision because he got the penalty.
