Arsene Wenger was pleased with the way his Arsenal players adapted to the Swedish cold and Ostersund’s artifical pitch as the Gunners ran out 3-0 winners in the first-leg of their last 32 Europa League tie.
Here’s what he had to say to BT Sport at full time…
On being happy with the result…
Yes, we did the job, started well and controlled the game. Overall, we played against a side that is good. They beat Hertha Berlin here, played a 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao, you can see it’s a quality team. Once we opened the scoring we were in control. Maybe we didn’t push enough in the final third in the second half but overall, we played a serious game. Job done.
On Ostersund being nervous…
Yes, they looked very nervous at the start. We took advantage of it.
On coping with the unusual conditions…
People wondered why we didn’t practice before [the game at Ostersund], but the warm-up was good to adapt to the speed of the ball. What is important here is the technical ability, the accuracy of the passing. We adapted very well because they are a good technical level.
On giving opportunities to younger players…
That’s important, of course. The younger players have played a lot of games in the group stages and they did very well. That’s why I keep them in the squad and give them minutes when I can.
On resting players in the second leg…
We’ll see. Maybe, I will see. We want to win the game. We’ll try to put out a team that can win it.
Good job well done lads. Now let’s win this thing.
Sorry to say but any other top 6 team wouldve banged them 5+..we shouldve conceded another penalty,blatant foul by mustafi.so two pens conceded..they had a few moments besides that and we didnt have any other glit edged chance besides the goals,one an OG,one dropped by the Gk and the ozil one was also savable imo.not being negative but just dont think this was a performence that will invigorate the whole fan base or the players.Lets keep a clen sheet at home now and ut on a more solid and edged perf..oh and start nketiah.
I for one rather enjoy it when Arsenal win away from home.
So sorry Arsenal disapppointed you by winning.
Playing on artificial surface is difficult and we adapted well and got the job done with no apparent injuries or bookings.
I thought the days of an Arsenal keeper saving a penalty were long gone. Well done Ospina.
We are here to share what we thought about the game.any of my points are wrong?I am not saying we are a shit club,board out wenger out etc..just that it wasnt a match to be excited about and don’t think u can blame any supporter for that after the way our recent seasons have gone. Nvm,just hoping that people know supporting arsenal means to support them not only when we win,but also when we lose . 🙂
Plentybof what you said is open to interpretation. Understand your skepticism, but a good result doesn’t need to be dragged down to feel like shit about this season. COYG, let’s grab that cup.
Just feking enjoy it son
“Sorry to say but any other top 6 team wouldve banged them 5+..”
We wud have too, but Venga tells da playas to not win by 5+ goals – he’s afraid ppl wud start telling him to leave on a high. Venga ahht !
How has this got thumbs up when tas gunner gets rinsed? Weird. We barely.played and won 3-0. Not too bad. Guess youll be having a disco when the venga bus is coming. Id still like to see him on the board, He could have a solid influence there. I hope we can win the europa and beat at least one of dortmund, rb leipzig, atl madrid along the way. Dortmund in the final in lyon would be cool for Henrik and lacazette.
Not on that Goals Soccer Centres post-work 5-a-side nonsense. You could see how our lot were tip-toeing around, worried about getting a muscle tear, and the pace of the ball was all over the shop. Add in -10 wind chill and frankly they did pretty well, IMHO. We’ll ‘bang 5+’ past them at home and be on our way. Relax.
You mean the way Spurs crushed Newport away in the FA Cup?
Wasn’t it around this time last season that they got demolished by Gent… or Genk.. or … well some team that weren’t very good.
How many goals any other team would score would rather depend on whether they’re missing half their first team or not. It was a very decent result for a team missing so many 1st choice players.
Job done nothing to see here. Move on & rest up anyone who’s even remotely injured in 2nd leg.
3-0 is a decent result and frankly the clean sheet is the most important thing because our defence is usually so poor no matter what level of opposition we play. We probably could have won 5+ goals but that would probably have led to complacency in the next game we played in as sadly happens too often these days. We’ve done half a job well and hopefully can finish if off at home
Seems that we could play Chambers, Holding and Kolasinac with Ospina in goal. Don’t know about right back. But thats probably enough with El Neny and Willock or Maitland-Niles in the middle to cover. That way we can save the first team for the final.
We need another right back. Bazically.