Arsene Wenger was angered by Saturday's game against Manchester United because he believes Arsenal's opponents were "there for the taking".
The Gunners suffered setbacks before the international break but this was a different kind of disappointment – an unfortunate defeat after a dominant performance against a big rival.
"I wasn’t angry with the players - I have a lot of respect for the energy they put in the game and the spirit they show"
The result leaves Arsenal in eighth place in the Premier League and the Arsenal manager was exasperated that United snatched the points despite having just two shots on target.
"Both," replied Wenger after being asked if he felt angry or disappointed. "I wasn’t angry with the players - I have a lot of respect for the energy they put in the game and the spirit they show.
"I’m just angry because the players do not get rewarded and our fans do not get rewarded for the result that was just there for the taking today. We have suffered against United before but we cannot say that we suffered against them today.
"If you look at the number of games recently, the number of shots our opponent has and the number of goals we concede, that is quite a continuity at the moment."
A freakish own goal from Kieran Gibbs gave United the edge on Saturday and a breakaway goal from Wayne Rooney effectively sealed the points, despite Olivier Giroud's thumping drive in stoppage time.
Olivier Giroud scores on his return
"We were 1-0 down and we wanted to desperately come back, and we forgot our principles a little bit," admitted Wenger.
"I have to see it again because I was surprised there wasn’t anyone there [in defence]. It was a moment where - especially with such a long injury time - if the game stays 1-0, it gave [United] some confidence because they just defended after.
"I have a lot of respect for this group because of their great attitude, spirit and energy levels. Maybe the disappointment of being 1-0 down meant everybody wanted to go forward too much.
"[Individually they have been] really good. At the moment it’s very difficult because we lack a bit of experience in some positions."
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
