Wenger: Cech saved Arsenal from Boro defeat

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has named Petr Cech as the saviour from today’s disappointing draw with Middlesbrough.

The Teesiders travelled to the Emirates to take on a strong in-form Gunners side today, but will feel a little disappointed not to have come away with all the points.

Petr Cech made a number of stops to keep out Adama Traore and Gaston Ramirez, who were both in top form in tormenting our goal.

Alexis went closest to breaking the deadlock at the other end forcing Victor Valdes to make at least two top draw saves, and the two shot-stoppers will both have their arguments for the Man of the Match award.

Arsene Wenger has now named Cech as ‘saving’ us from a loss, and claim we were nearly punished for having tired legs.

“It is a game where you had a lot of possession but there were tired legs and you are prone to counter-attacks. You make it difficult for yourself. 75% possession but you could have lost the game, that is modern football,” Wenger said.

“When you are not sharp, you lack creativity in the final third. I must say, we gave everything but we did not have the legs today. The energy levels were a bit down but we were intelligent enough not to lose it. We were exposed at times. When you cannot win, you must not lose.

“They had chances but our goalkeeper saved us today. Petr Cech had a good performance in decisive phases. We tried. You don’t win on command though. We lacked our creative potential around the box. That is part of it.

“At least you can have a drink on your birthday. When you win you deserve it, when you don’t you need it.”

Can we take solace in having moved to the top of the table? Was Cech, Valdes or someone else your Man of the Match?

Pat J

Tags Arsenal Cech Wenger

9 Comments

  1. *Happy Birthday AW…
    Wish we could have delivered the 3p…
    Chech and Valdez were Men of this Match. No doubt.

  2. Cech stepped up his performance compared to Swansea. Easily MOTM.

    Now we have an EFL match at home, which is all good, but PL is my main concern. We must step up our game. We rode our luck against Burnley and Swansea. Where’s the drive we had against Chelsea? We need that more than ever against Sunderland next weekend.

    Can’t afford to lose points against “weaker” opponents because we have the big boys coming up in November.

    1. @Arsenal007
      Big Time…
      No one in our squad can turn defence into attack at the drop of a hat like him…One of our main problems tonight was Alexis trying to to do both his and Santi’s role…
      Elneny should have realized that he was the guy to do this instead…

  3. To be honest I’m more concerned about if this Arsenal team can win matches from losing positions, which has been a problem in the past.

    I’ll stil stick to it that Tottenham, PSG and Manu will be a big sign as to what to expect from this Arsenal side this season.

  4. As has been commented before, we missed Santi Cazorla today. Santi dictates games in a way no other Arsenal player has been able to. He is vital to our team. Arsenal have always relied on a midfield dictator to run the game. Before Santi it was Arteta, before him it was Cesc.

    This summer I was very pleased when we got Xhaka. Finally, a big, tough midfielder – what we’d been missing for years. But also, he’s a great deep lying playmaker himself. Someone that could take up the burden when Santi was out. We missed him today too.

    But my final point is one of real concern and, well, almost anger really. All this hot air about Sanchez and Ozil signing new contracts has been going on for well over a year now. Yes, they’re essential to our team, but why has it taken so long? And they still haven’t actually signed yet… Now suddenly it’s all about giving Bellerin a new contract. Again, important player, but he still has years left on his current deal.

    Meanwhile Santi Cazorla is going to be out of contract at the end of the year, and get this, he hasn’t even been offered a new contract at Arsenal? Like, seriously, what the hell is going on? He’s 31, going on 32, but Santi is comfortably our best CM. If he leaves this club at the end of the season I’m going to be really hacked off. Whoever manages contracts at Arsenal clearly isn’t doing a very good job.

  5. arsenal fan don’t be so disappointed there are many more game like this to go.i have been saying this for along time wolcott have to score to Justified his start because he don’t create opportunity for other what did we expect luck to carry us all the time it is very easy to defendagainst us no crosses in the box for header in fact who do we have that can make a proper crosse on who to get on the end of it we have to understand the limit of this team it’s the same from last season

  6. All the arm chair fans have been waiting for our first slip up we easily have the most annoying fans in the world. We get a weeks rest now we will be fresh for next weekend

  7. We did play well today, missed Cazorla and I’m glad fans now see the importance of Santi; still remmber start of the season when some fans made their best XI with Ramsey starting and Santi warming the bench.

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