A derby that Arsene Wenger has traditionally dominated slipped away from him on Saturday, and the Frenchman was visibly infuriated. Wengera s wrath was aimed at his team, which, according to the vastly experienced manager, just wasna t good enough.
Yet, his criticism wasna t aimed only at his team that did indeed put in a lacklustre performance. Some criticism was reserved for referee Mark Atkinson.
“We were not very good and the referee was at our level,” Wenger said. “He didn’t have a good day.
“We were not good enough. They created more chances and we cannot dispute that they deserved to win the game.
“I believe we gave the goals away, both the first and the second. We put some effort in, but we didn’t produce much going forward.”
The most disappointing thing for Arsenal fans would be the manner of the defeat as their team had led the game with an early strike from record signing Mesut Ozil. Following that goal, Spursa talisman Harry Kane put in a scintillating display, scoring two goals to change the match. Kanea s second goal came in the 86th minute, sending the home fans at White Hart Lane into euphoria.
“It is a shame because today we scored an early goal and then stopped playing. We talked at half time about playing more football, but they had higher intensity and dominated in the middle of the park.”
When Wenger was asked, what the defeat meant for his sidea s chances when it came to qualifying for the Champions League a something his Arsenal teams have managed consistently, despite being mediocre in several season, the Frenchman admitted that, it was going to be a difficulta .
“It will be difficult and it will be tight, we know that. It’s is about how we prepare for the next game now and how consistent we can be.a
Wengera s side are behind Southampton, Manchester United and Tottenham as the four teams battle it out for two spots following Chelsea and Manchester City. Next, Arsenal, who have 42 points from 24 games and take on Leicester City at home on Tuesday night, in a must win game.
