English Premier League: Wenger struggling to solve Arsenal puzzle after Liverpool draw
Frenchman disappointed with defensive frailties.
With 17 goals in the season, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is the second-highest scorer in the English Premier League behind Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie (18). PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Against Liverpool on Wednesday Arsenal’s defence often resembled a circus troupe while at the other end they attacked with the speed and panache of title contenders.
It is a puzzle that manager Arsene Wenger is struggling to solve and, while he was pleased with a 2-2 draw from two goals down, the result did little to enhance Arsenal’s prospects of climbing into the top four and preserving their long run of Champions League qualification.
Asked why his side have become such slow starters, Wenger was at a loss to offer a theory, although he said nerves were infecting his defenders.
“There is not always a rational explanation,” said Wenger. “We didn’t give out big security tonight defensively but on the other hand, when you see what the spirit is in the team, and what the quality is going forward, you smell that something can always happen at any moment.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he was proud of his team after they bounced back from FA Cup humiliation at third tier Oldham Athletic on Sunday.
“I never had any second thoughts about us getting a reaction,” said Rodgers. “It’s a game we should have won — we didn’t but we showed great resilience and quality and had other chances to get other goals. I’m very proud of the team.”
Fergie blasts ‘impossible’ pitch after scrappy win
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s groundsmen could face the wrath of Alex Ferguson after the manager blamed the Old Trafford playing surface for a scrappy performance in a nervy 2-1 home defeat of Southampton on Wednesday.
Ferguson was full of praise for Southampton who were impressive under new manager Mauricio Pochettino but clearly unhappy with the lack of grass on the pitch.
“In the second half, the players just found the pitch impossible,” said Ferguson, whose side moved seven points clear of Manchester City. “We tried to play the way we normally play but couldn’t because the pitch had dried out a lot.”
Benitez tells Chelsea to tighten up
Rafael Benitez has warned his Chelsea side they must cut out the defensive errors after his side conceded a two-goal lead in the final three minutes of Wednesday’s Premier League match away to Reading, eventually being held to a 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium.
“At this level, they know we have to be more clinical,” said Benitez. “They (the players) know we made mistakes in defence. It’s a question of working on these things. We have to take responsibility. We win together. We draw together.”
In other matches, Everton beat West Brom 2-1 while Fulham eased past West Ham 3-1. Tottenham played out a 1-1 draw with Norwich City.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.
Against Liverpool on Wednesday Arsenal’s defence often resembled a circus troupe while at the other end they attacked with the speed and panache of title contenders.
It is a puzzle that manager Arsene Wenger is struggling to solve and, while he was pleased with a 2-2 draw from two goals down, the result did little to enhance Arsenal’s prospects of climbing into the top four and preserving their long run of Champions League qualification.
Asked why his side have become such slow starters, Wenger was at a loss to offer a theory, although he said nerves were infecting his defenders.
“There is not always a rational explanation,” said Wenger. “We didn’t give out big security tonight defensively but on the other hand, when you see what the spirit is in the team, and what the quality is going forward, you smell that something can always happen at any moment.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he was proud of his team after they bounced back from FA Cup humiliation at third tier Oldham Athletic on Sunday.
“I never had any second thoughts about us getting a reaction,” said Rodgers. “It’s a game we should have won — we didn’t but we showed great resilience and quality and had other chances to get other goals. I’m very proud of the team.”
Fergie blasts ‘impossible’ pitch after scrappy win
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s groundsmen could face the wrath of Alex Ferguson after the manager blamed the Old Trafford playing surface for a scrappy performance in a nervy 2-1 home defeat of Southampton on Wednesday.
Ferguson was full of praise for Southampton who were impressive under new manager Mauricio Pochettino but clearly unhappy with the lack of grass on the pitch.
“In the second half, the players just found the pitch impossible,” said Ferguson, whose side moved seven points clear of Manchester City. “We tried to play the way we normally play but couldn’t because the pitch had dried out a lot.”
Benitez tells Chelsea to tighten up
Rafael Benitez has warned his Chelsea side they must cut out the defensive errors after his side conceded a two-goal lead in the final three minutes of Wednesday’s Premier League match away to Reading, eventually being held to a 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium.
“At this level, they know we have to be more clinical,” said Benitez. “They (the players) know we made mistakes in defence. It’s a question of working on these things. We have to take responsibility. We win together. We draw together.”
In other matches, Everton beat West Brom 2-1 while Fulham eased past West Ham 3-1. Tottenham played out a 1-1 draw with Norwich City.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.