Thursday, March 28, 2024

Wenger shoulders blame for United defeat

Arsene Wenger says that the defeat to Man Utd on Saturday, when the Gunners went down 3-1, is something he takes responsibility for, despite the individual errors that gave the visitors goal scoring chances.

Laurent Koscielny struggled in his third game in six days, and fellow centre-half Shkodran Mustafi made a big mistake for the second goal.

However, the manager refused to point fingers despite being given the opportunity to do so after the game.

“Look, I am not here to especially blame people,” he said. “I am blaming nobody, I am blaming myself as always.

“I just say, I want Arsenal to win. When the performance is of that quality, we have to be efficient. We are in this job to be efficient, you know.

“So I blame first myself.”

As for what he wants from his side in the wake of the defeat, the Frenchman urged them to react with anger after dominating United in general play.

“I believe the result has to make us angry and even more determined,” he continued.

“If I am a player, and I think with what we produced, we have a huge potential, and we lose the game, we cannot accept that.

“De Gea is an outstanding goalkeeper and I don’t want to take anything away. But we had situations, despite De Gea, where we should have scored.

“We have lost games here against Man United where we didn’t deserve anything.

“But what makes you angry is that you produce that performance and in the end you have nothing to show for it.”

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Gio

Of course he blames himself. If it had all been reversed and it was United who had gifted us 3 goals, we all know who Mourinho would have blamed, the horrible twat.

Arsene may divide opinion amongst the fans regarding his managerial ability, but we all agree that he oozes class. Love him as a person.

Mart

He’s an incredible man. When his time comes I hope he gets the respectful send off he deserves

Sandman

Comments like this clearly show that Mr. Arsene Wenger is more of a LEADER than just a mere manager. ?

Northerngooner

Arsene Wenger is a classy man, no doubt about that.

However, this “admission” has nothing to do with class, it’s purely and simply the truth.

It happens time and time again, we start slow and sloppy and by the time we start playing, we are 2 or more goals down. That is the manager’s fault.

You can’t provide for individual mistakes but the fact they happen so often suggests it’s the way players are mentally prepared and motivated.

Reality+Check

How can he accept blame for the team not being efficient on the day. That’s purely on the players, if you are going to keep shooting at or close to the keeper then of course he’ll get lucky with some saves.
Can we get back to 433 or something pls, give Kola some rest perhaps.

IamaGoober

Ultimately the reason we lost to United was unfortunately down to the individual mistakes made by Koscielny and Mustafi. You make those sorts of errors against any team in the Premier League and more than likely you will lose the game. Let alone playing against United under Mourinho. The moment you concede the first goal to any Mourinho team, especially early doors, its always going to be so difficult, because by then chasing the game you play into his hands. So he will just sit back and counter you. That’s what he does, and that’s what he’s always done. Its… Read more »

Eternal Titi Berg Pat Nostalgia

For the third goal though, isn’t Bellerin No. 24, who run to another direction and let the goal scorer free ? Nobody is mentioning this. Did I smoke something nobody else smoked ? Bellerin is always left of the hook by fans but he lets us down a lot of times,

Jay-Jay Okocha\'s Uncle

You’re right, but I think it’s actually for the best. The protection he’s getting from the fans is rare, but I guess it’s a cocktail of spockney, extreme pace, a loyal approach and huge potential. Wish more of the youngsters were met with the same patience, but with the hype building so early it’s nearly impossible unless you’re peaking (as in peaking) really early. It must be amazing to come up through the ranks at Arsenal, but in a lot of ways I think it’s too challenging to have that fame so early without a realistic chance of avoiding serious… Read more »

IamaGoober

Maybe, although I cant really remember the third goal, but I guess the reason why people aren’t talking about it is because its not really relevant. We went two nil down inside 11 minutes against Man United. The damage was already done. Yeah okay – we got ourselves back into the game at 2-1, but as I said in my post, you are always susceptible to conceding goals on the break when you’re playing against a Mourinho team when you’re chasing a goal. That’s his whole gig. His forte. His pièce de résistance. At this level its almost impossible to… Read more »

Stephen Fowler

Felt there was a lack of focus in those first 15 minutes. Perhaps, United played different to what was anticipated, but Arsenal should have been prepared whether they faced a high front line or the bus. Wenger is right to take the blame.

Gooooooonnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa

I don’t like making excuses but something was off with our defenders. Given how well they’ve played this season, it just wasn’t like them – especially Koscienly who was dreadful! I argued on Wednesday that we should have rested 2 or 3 players, especially one of koscienly or mustafi. With koscienly’s Achilles I thought 3 games in 6 days was a big gamble, and with mustafi just coming back from injury there was always that chance of him aggregating that injury. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Koscienly played the full 90 mins with pain in his achilles. He’s such… Read more »

Reality+Check

Kos will be brilliant for a period of time, quitely and efficiently going about his business, but then, out of no where, when everyone’s watching, he’ll make a stupid mistake at the worst possible time and dicredit himself of all the good work he mostly does.

Too Drunk To Be Offside

Given how well they’ve played this season. What season have you been watching. The defense has been sh!te, barring the recent run of few games before the united game, only to go back to being sh!te when it mattered.

A Different George

Well, the season I have been watching is: until Saturday, when Mustafi, Koscielny, and Monreal were on the pitch together, we had not conceded a single goal.

Glocken

I’m glad that he’s accepted the blame, I only wish he could learn from it. Three years ago we lost to United in exactly the same way, read this report, you could cut and paste it from yesterday’s game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30065812

Missed chances, De Gea making saves, ridiculous defending. We’ve learned nothing in three years, at this level it’s just unforgivable.

PFo

We played better yesterday, and our defensive mistakes were even more pathetic, than 3 years ago.

Naija Fan

For me the only remedy for the losses to any of the top 4 teams is to beat them in the reverse fixtures, otherwise he should just keep shut.

Smart Emelike

Wenger should be more proactive than looking for cheap excuses, get a good GOOKEEPER, the players are not comfortable with PETER CHECH

Damo Dinkum

Personally, I think Peter Chech keeps a very good goo

Gooooooonnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa

Oh shut up Glocken. The defeat is bitter enough as it is, no need for your pointless negativety. If you don’t see the difference between this game and the game 3 years ago then you probably didn’t watch either game, and just read these stupid match reports from cunts like BBC.

Glocken

You are right, instead of making a genuine point & highlighting our defiences I should just bury my head in the sand like you, write something like ‘unlucky boys, if it wasn’t for De Gea we would have won, we were robbed’ which would get more likes on here but would be totally wrong.

We’ve conceded 3 goals and above to Chelsea, United, Liverpool and City this season so far, but hey, you stay classy, keep abusing me, the BBC, anybody else you like and don’t look what’s in front of you ?

Simon

“deficiencies” my friend! If you are going to use big words look them up first…

On the other hand we played well, created a lot of chances but a few silly mistakes at the back which can be worked on…on to the next match!

Wolfagng

Of course he shd when managers have been unceremoniously sacked just after 5 /10 games.Its a miracle he has eluded the axe for so long. The thing is his record against the top teams is atrocious. This is because the other bosses have the measure of him and let him have 90% possession a nd x shots at goal but still outscore Arsenal to win. Part of the problem is his complicated style ie many passes before shooting.This gives the defences time to mass and foil him and a aquick break through that results in a goal. That’s how Mourino… Read more »

Lord Bendnter

Any news on Mustafi?

Krtiz

He is still “injured”. When a soldier walks away from his troop in battle, he is discharged afterwards. I may be wrong, but I think he will never be trusted again by Wenger.

Mpls

Awaiting results of the scan to determine whether the problem is with the ankle or the spine.

Vedant

His pride is hurt. Should be back in 4-6 weeks

Chris Kiwomya

Lost his bottle, pulled a Gallas

pajanee

Still cant believe how bad mustafi and kozzer were….we really miss a classy player like gilberto silva in midfield….the only positive is we’ve got lacazette

Bould\'s+Eyeliner

Wenger doesn’t throw them under the bus for a reason. Three high-intensity games in a week with a defensive side known for concentration lapses. Certainly his fault and he knows it. Perhaps he was scared to put Holding or other second-string defenders for one of those games. And it cost us, end of story. Fine line walking and we fell off the tightrope. Story of the Arsenal decade

Murder on Zidane\'s floor

Koz’s achilles can’t handle 3 games in a week and mustafi injured himself on the dodgy pass. The loss was a combination of a lack of prep by le prof and a paperwork issue that stopped De Gea going to Madrid.

Also, Mou is a lucky sumbitch.

Matt

They’re not good enough for a title challenger, need to spend on world class centre backs and a defensive mid

Wolfagng

This defensive implosion has happened at Arsenal too often.
Wenger shd carry the can.

Matt

Yes, Arsene is class and all we want but his time here is up. I want a new, younger manager who actually challenges for the league, not just for top 4.

Don Cazorleone

My guess is that it’s the Board’s ambitions to only challenge for top 4, not Wenger’s.
So long as Arsenal are generating steady revenue, I’m sure Stan doesn’t give a flying fuck if we win the league or not.

Bendtner\'s+Ego

No blame for Wenger on this one.

Players made some stupid mistakes early and then we ran into a human wall in De Gea, followed by some dubious no-calls.

That’s football, I guess. Move on to the next match and make sure the team is ready.

Homer

The only sensible comment on this whole thread.
Thank you.

Lingards\' Milly Rock

Agree, although I feel a little midweek rotation would have helped especially at CB.

Very disappointed in our players inability to sense danger and use the tactical foul, especially very early in a match. Kolasinac and Mustafi should have taken one for the team as soon as both errors were made.

Lord Bendnter

I agree with this man’s ego. Without De Gea and crappy refereeing, I wouldn’t expect us to draw the game. Nope, I would expect us to defeat ManUtd 5-3.
I have no complaints with the players’ response to going 2 down. I think we put up a real good fight. We’re not in it to win the title, that dream died a long time ago, I liked the intensity shown by our players (barring the nervous first 15 min) and I hope we can get better.

Kwame Ampadu Down

Still the referees eh? Ffs gents grow up.

Cliff Bastin

First of all there is nothing much you can do when the opp keeper saves (A RECORD) 14 out of 15 shots on target HOWEVER For the 2nd goal, Mustafi made a mess of it but WHERE IS THE MIDFIELD? For the 3rd goal, Xhaka is juicing his pants over pogba’s pass instead of sticking to his runner. This is now the 8th goal conceded this season due to Xhaka not having a defensive brain. If he’s expected to have a defensive brain, a stronger manager would smack his head or drop him by now. If he’s not expected to… Read more »

Homer

Gazidis is a twat marketing suit. You believe him … then I have a bridge to sell you at a bargain. It connects manhattan and brooklyn.

Santori

Move on.

Take the positives.

We were rampant going forward, imposed ourselves in midfield for most parts.

Where we need to improve is to be sharper in front of goal and less panicky.

And less panicky at the back too even if mistakes have been made, we had still room to defend properly but we lacked composure.

One of the issues is in midfield where lack someone who can receive and turn or simply hold the ball at will

But much positive to take into next league game. We must hang our heads down.

We need Mustafi back in.

Carlos _ Santana

Sorta feel the team is gelling a lot better lately.. Some positive signs.. Need to get focused again and prepare ourselves for the liveredpool game..

loose_cannon

These are errors we’ve made time and time again, the difference being the way the team rallied this time. Wenger is right to take the blame for yet another cold start against a big team, but he’s not the only one that’s responsible. Kosc, Kolasinic, Mustafi and Xhaka all let him down as well.

ronaldo

of course YOU should take the blame, after all its YOUR team, YOU bought the players, and you picked the team, we need defenders who defend, not defenders who think they are forwards

John C

He has to blame himself because we’ve been making the same defensive mistakes for over a decade, there’s no one else to blame. As for playing well, i don’t agree, we went all out attack at 2 nil down, we lacked shape, chucked as many men forward as possible and it was just all out chaos. 15 shots from outside the box is unheard of for Arsenal and shows how desperate we were. Aside from our goal i can’t remember another well crafted chance, we resembled early 90’s Wimbledon with the goal mouth scrabbles and ping pong going on in… Read more »

Why not

Relentless optimism. I like it. Lets sign Laudrup.

John C

What about this team is there to be optimistic about? We’re worse than last season, we’ve already lost 5 out of 15 matches, that’s 1 in 3, conceded 19 goals and we keep on being caught making the same mistakes. Mistakes we’ll carry on making because we have a manager who is prepared to accept them as collateral damage to the style of play he wants us to play and instead of becoming more pragmatic he places an ever higher degree of importance on our “reaction” to the mistakes than eliminating them from our play. An attitude that is doomed… Read more »

Homer

Wenger’s defensive mistakes. Yeah, because Wenger is the one on the pitch making sloppy passes and not tracking back (xhaka), constantly losing possession (Alexis), dawdling on the ball deep in his own half (mustafi) and making dangerous cross field passes across his own box (Kos). And not a well crafted chance, whatever the hell thats supposed to mean. Umm. how about the move that ended up with de gea making an amazing double save on Alexis and Lacaz? How about the high percentage shot from Bellerin on the edge of the box that de gea finger tip saved at full… Read more »

John C

Yes, as they keep on being made they’re his mistakes as they’re a result of the style of play Wenger want us to play. Wenger’s the one who instructs his players to play high risk passes out of defence which leads to the type of mistakes made by Kos and Mustafi. Wenger’s the manager who instructs Alexis to play a high risk game and for Ramsey to play in the centre forward position leaving our defence exposed to the counter. So yes, they’re his mistakes. As for De Gea, he’s been United player of the year about 3 times, i… Read more »

A Different George

I agree with some points made in these discussions, and disagree with others. But some are just crazy. Mourinho did not have some master plan of allowing Arsenal to bombard his keeper, of having his defenders unable to clear Arsenal corners, of giving Arsenal numerous touches in the penalty area. For much of the game, Man United were overwhelmed by a side that looked much better than them; they were saved by a great performance by a great keeper. We cannot ignore the incredible individual errors that put us 0-2 behind, and we should examine why those occur–and re-occur–but we… Read more »

John C

We bombarded them because we went all out attack throwing as many men forward as we could and i think it suited Mourinho for it to stay that way until we scored as kept us open to the counter, the fact they scored after we did showed preserving their 2 goal advantage was the aim for them. As for putting as many players in the box for corners, again i think they were happy to concede due to their height advantage. The ping pong in the box had more to do with them not clearing the ball than our good… Read more »

Kwame Ampadu Down

John C, i actually agree with some of the stuff you post & think you get a hard time from people who refuse to acknowledge anything negative but this is bonkers mate. Mourinho’s plan has worked brilliantly in the past where we’ve barely created a chance against his team. His plan failed completely here for long stretches but he got out of jail through great goalkeeping & poor finishing. This was completely different to precious games against him, I honestly can’t see how you argue otherwise.

John C

It’s easy, as long as we didn’t score he had no reason to change his team. I’m in no way arguing that it went how he planned and he wanted to concede 33 shots but i don’t think he was overly uncomfortable either as long as we didn’t score.

And I absolutely think they had no problem conceding corners and long range shots, we didn’t when we had Seaman in goal and Adams/Bould/Keown in defence either.

A Different George

Look at your own logic: even if you are right that “the ping pong in the box had more to do with them not clearing the ball than our good play”–well, that simply could not have been something Mourinho wanted to continue. Yet, it did.
I think some Arsenal supporters are so anxious to find fault with everything we do that they are willing to credit a twat like Mourinho with brilliant tactics when–as I said–what happened is that Arsenal overwhelmed his side.

Midgunner

I think its a bit dangerous to dismiss the loss as down to personal errors.

Sure individual mistakes put us in trouble, but the way we responded to them points to a deeper problem and an inability to work around a high press.

QMantis

Start badly, mistakes made goals conceded. Opposition drop deep with a lead to fight and defend, we go all out attack, what else can you do? 21players all in one half, mad scrambles players getting desperate, opposition have arsenal were they want them, always suspect to a brake away goal. Another defeat to a better organised team who get to carry out their game plan by simply not committing the sin of making big mistakes in big games against big teams. We have also done this in not so big games, fans of other teams I know say it’s in… Read more »

K9ine

Can we go back to 4-2-3-1 again, i sorely miss it cos we are more fluid and entertaining with it.
Seems to suit our players more too

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