Wenger Speaks on Latest Development in the Club: “We Had to Swallow That 4-0 Loss”
Arsenal has secured a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth after an embarrassing 4-0 defeat against Southampton on Boxing Day. Arsene Wenger and his team had much to prove after their debacle, and they have closed the year with a victory.
It was important for players to move past the horrible result and their ability to win with a clean sheet offers them redemption. It should be appreciated the way Gunners stepped up and made amends in order to continue their quest for the title.
Speaking post-match Arsene Wenger admits that the game started a bit shaky because of their previous result but they managed to get past it eventually. It was more a battle of mental strength than anything for the Gunners.
“It was nervy at the start because we had to swallow the 4-0 [at Southampton]’, Wenger said. ‘And it didn’t go well and I think we were focused at the start not to concede a stupid goal and got slowly into the game. I changed a few players and put Calum Chambers at the centre of the park so it took us a while to get going but I think in the last 70 minutes we were in control of the game and did very well.”
“You can’t go from the start of the season to the end of the season without disappointment at some stage. This was a big one. After that it is down to how well you respond and that what was at stake today. For me it is more to win the game. If we are one point ahead or one point behind it is not too important, it is more the consistency of the results and the feeling that we go on stronger and we play in a very efficient way like we did today.”
Arsenal has had a total of 12 wins out of the 19 games played so far in the Premier League. They have drawn 3 and lost 4, and currently lead the title race.
Leicester has yet to play their last game of the year and they face Manchester City at home. Leicester will have to win in order to return to being leaders of the table. A draw or a loss would mean Arsenal will end this year at the top of the table.