Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal found it very difficult to break down West Bromwich Albion outfit before they snatched the three points in the closing stages.
The Gunners had 76 per cent of possession, completed 728 passes to the Baggies’ 166 and attempted 26 shots at goal, of which 11 were on target* – a performance of total domination against a side instructed by Tony Pulis to frustrate and time waste from the first whistle.
In the end the Gunners took to the air to win the game as Olivier Giroud converted Mesut Ozil’s cross to bag his sixth goal of the season and an important 1-0 win.
“We created plenty of chances,” Wenger said after the match.
“We needed today to be patient, keep our composure in our game and not make a defensive mistake – that’s what we did.
“They had a chance through Yacob in the second half, but overall I felt that defensively we were quite sound and we had, I thought, with 10 minutes to go I thought we could play a draw or even, if we were not intelligent, lose the game.
“Overall I believe West Brom were well-organised, we passed the ball quite well and quickly but we didn’t find the incisiveness that is needed because they basically played six across in their final third.
“We have little pockets where you usually get in but we found it difficult today. But we kept going and in the end when we couldn’t make the difference on the ground, we made it in the air with maybe the only player in our team who can do that.”
After successive defeats, the win – including a first clean sheet in 13 attempts – steadies the ship for Arsenal who remain in the top four nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
“The confidence is swinging, depending highly on the results,” added Wenger.
“We have played 20 games, 14 games in the Premier League and six in the Champions League without losing a game. And we lost two on the trot so the confidence, of course, is hit.
“After that, as well, it’s testing because it’s a good test. There is no season without disappointment. It is interesting to see how the team responds to disappointment.
“It was vital [to win]. But you’re under pressure before the game. It’s exactly the tie you don’t want, West Brom. You’re under pressure, you know they defend deep, they are well-organised, they are resilient – we are super-favourites. And you can just have a big problem if you don’t win the game because mentally of course, if you don’t win for three games, it’s always difficult. Although I think we lost two games under very special circumstances.”
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*Stats courtesy of FourFourTwo Stats Zone app.
COYG!
So desperately waiting for the next game. Want us to hammer a Crystal Palace team confused by the managerial change. U know like when one third of the players follow Alan Pardew’s tactics notes on the pitch, one third Allardyce’s, and the other third just don’t bother. I.e. chaos
They looked a bit shaky at the back yesterday … could be entertaining
1 clean sheet in 13 games and only because it was against a team that refused to attack.
Does ayone know why this has been an almost annually reoccurring theme for a decade?
Down votes but no answers. How very typical…
My guess is that most people just couldn’t be bothered responding to unintelligent comments that are purely incendiary. The golden gloves award was won by whose keeper last season? Has there not been a large improving trend over the past years in our goals conceded? And yes we must strive to improve further and clean sheets are something that we must accelerate the accumulation of this season.
Because i don’t know what you’re on about. Last season we only conceded 1 more goal than the least in the league. If that’s the recurring theme I’m quite happy.
We pulverised quite a few of the teams that scored against us, and beat nearly all of them
I’m pretty sure the majority of those teams we didn’t pulverise. Can only think of a couple of results like that, this season.
Basle twice
West Ham
Sunderland
Ludogrets
Chelsea
Forest
We battered West Brom too, they were lucky not to concede 3 or 4. Go watch the second half.
You seem to be more obsessed with clean sheets than just wins. Does a 1-0 win contribute more to goal differentials than a 4-1?
We like to attack
“Although I think we lost two games under very special circumstances”.
As much as I love AW he doesn’t half spout some shite on occasion.
Looking forward to welcoming Flamini back to the Emirates!
I can’t help but wonder what would happen when coq tackles flamini’s two footed lunge.
Like two old boxers in the ring for a final grudge match, knocking each other out at exactly the same time. Except with tackles. Two footed waist high tackles.
Coq will get red and Flamini yellow because referees.
Under very special circumstances.
What the fuck were they? Very special circumstances are that you are still in charge Mr Wenger.
Of course we are the only team in the history of the Premiership to ever have lost 2 on the trot (and 3 all year) …Wenger out!
That’s brilliant! Now, if only we can get the PL to make the competition over a calendar year instead of the pesky old August to May thing…ya know.
I would like to know who these people who want wenger out think we can replace him with who will be better
Grass is greener and all that
Have you ever thought there might be managers who would do better given the opportunity? Wenger was at Nagoya Grampus Eight before he joined Arsenal, we would have never have hired him based on your logic.
Its possible, but it would be a big gamble. Look at what has happened to United.
I am no Wenger Out but every year, a manager who is not Wenger wins the league. This means other human beings can do the job.
ahemm…I’m free…
Wenger has a variety of tools in his arsenal to choose from now. He has the direct sledgehammer approach of Giroud. He isn’t just good in the air but can also be an aset playing players in (wall passes and one twos) plus he scores a good number with one touch near post. What he gives is a muscular presence in the box particularly effective with teams seated deep conceding space packing six across the back in the box area. IT isn’t a plan B. It is a different system to use for different circumstance. With more space, there is… Read more »