You would think that there would be little that Arsene Wenger could say after the Gunners were destroyed in their fourth straight away game, especially against a relegation candidate like Crystal Palace. But of course he is obliged by contract to face the Sky journalist Geoff Shreeves after the game, and this is the full transcript of Wenger’s after match interview………
Arsene Wenger: I felt that they won decisive duels. We created quite dangerous situations but defensively I think we were exposed many times. Offensively we couldn’t finish. I think the first-half was quite level and then they come out in the second-half stronger than us and we were a bit unfortunate I think on the second goal, and on the third goal it was a penalty that killed our game.
GS: Were you also unable to handle Christian Benteke this evening? He seemed to cause you all sorts of problems.
AW: Yes he was up for it, he’s a handful for everybody when he’s like that.
GS: They were also winning all the second balls as well. Were they more committed? Was there more desire from Crystal Palace tonight?
AW: I think they were sharper than us in the duels and certainly in many decisive situations tonight, yes.
AW: Look, it’s not the right moment to go in any… We have to analyse the game. I think we had a lot of the ball. We had a lot of possession. If they won all the second balls we would not have so much possession. I think we won many second balls as well, but there were in the decisive duels… I think they were stronger, yes. Especially Benteke tonight.
GS: What did you say at half-time because it seemed to be more of the same the second-half?
AW: Look, what we say in the dressing room remains in the dressing room.
GS: But why do you think you were unable to change things?
AW: I just told you. You know. I thought they won more decisive duels than us.
GS: How damaging is this in terms of your quest for top four tonight?
GS: Also when you hear the fans singing ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ they’re showing their deep unhappiness with the performance. What do you make of that?
AW: You can not… you understand that our fans are very unhappy. They come here with hope that we win the game.
GS: How worried are you personally by what you saw tonight?
AW: No, every defeat is a big worry. I’ve managed over 1,100 games for Arsenal Football Club, and we are not used to lose like that. And of course it is a big worry.
GS: How concerned are you that this season is just drifting away, petering out?
AW: Yeah, unfortunately at the moment it is like that and we have to respond very quickly and not accept it.
AW: Geoff, I don’t know. But I can not go on forever after the game like that. I’m disappointed and determined to put things right. Tonight the worry is not me. It’s the fact that we lost a big game, and when you lose a big game it’s a big worry.
GS: OK. Lastly, is there any news on your situation?
AW: No.
GS: Arsene, thank you.
AW: Thank you.
There is a reason managers get sacked bcos no way they r gonna leave willingly
Moyes would still have been at United “determined to put things right”
Mourinho would still be at Chelsea “determined to put things right”
Kenny Dalglish would still be at Liverpool “determined to put things right”
GS: How worried are you personally by what you saw tonight?
AW: No, every defeat is a big worry. I’ve managed over 1,100 games for Arsenal Football Club, and we are not used to lose like that. And of course it is a big worry.
Pablo Picaso: Hello, we are now used to such results, not that you care or anything since you “have managed over 1,100 games”. The things that AW gloats about leaves me questioning his mental condition running our club. Leave already!
GS: Do you think the situation regarding yourself has any effect on what’s happening? They looked leaderless, rudderless tonight.
AW: Geoff, I don’t know. But I can not go on forever after the game like that.
Is that a promise Arsene?????
You don’t know? Or you don’t think you should dare be questioned as you deem yourself to BE AFC?
Arrogant Bell end!
why would anyone thumb you down, ADMIN i understand the thumbing app on here but maybe attach it to a comment. so if someone thumbs down they need to say why
With every grief news comes in stages
FEBRUARY= DENIALE / ANGER
MARCH = BARGAINING
APRIL = DEPRESSION
MAY = ACCEPTANCE
lets face it we are not going to have a good season ahead and attract WC players with no CL or possibly not even Thursday European football
i think AW should announce his retirement so that we can start the work of persuading a top manager to give up his successful club and come to us
Tas,
AW and the board will drag this saga until the summer when everything cools down, protesters down tools, and fans start renewing there seasonal tickets before announcing Arsene’s 2 years extension while he and his losers will be on a plan to Asia to beat some Japanese team in pre-season.
I don’t see anything changing anytime soon. The protest are not just strong enough! We need to be as lethal as R. Madrid fans who even boo CR7, Bale, and their Managers when under performing. I hate to boo one of our own, but if one of our own do not show desire to play for us on the pitch I believe we have the right to.
The truth is, Wenger or not, this group of players shouldn’t losing against the likes of Watford,WBA and Crystal Palace. The players need to shape up too. Too many seriously under performing . Any new manager will have his work out .
ahh you mean like those players who didnt want to play for Mour but will win the league with conte ?
What surprise, Wenger doesn’t apologise yet again after another humiliating, and unacceptable defeat. Yet we the fans, are constantly told to respect someone who has ZERO respect for us, and is destroying the very thing we love…Arsenal FC. Wenger really improved the reputation of Arsenal, but people have got to start accepting that he’s destroyed all of that, to such an extent, that Arsenal are now in a much worse state than what we were when he arrived.
The problem is not the only the manager, jst look @ how the players played, was this how they played & beat Chelsea? The players no longer take the games serious as you all can see, whenever our opponents are in our own half, they are a serious threat but whenever we’re in our opponent’s half, we’re predictable. Same ol same ol Arsenal every time. This is a big shame.
I think arsenal fans are being too nice to Mr failure and his useless players…the protests should be made stronger with all fans participating