As usual, Arsenal fans had to suffer right up to the last kick of the game before securing all three points from rock bottom Leicester last night, and Arsene Wenger believes that the team was still tired from the intense North London derby on Saturday.
Le Prof said on Arsenal.com “It was close towards the end but it is always like that when it’s 2-1. I feel that we were in control for the first half but when we were in control they had one or two good chances on the counter-attack.
“In the second half we lost our cohesion, our technical superiority and Leicester was always dangerous going forward. They are very quick in transition from defence into attack. At 2-1 we became a bit nervous but overall what was important for us was to get the three points.
“Saturday’s game was a bit in their head, especially in the second half in the legs. Tottenham lost in the last minute as well. It was a very intense game on Saturday and three days later, it’s not easy.”
I can’t help but point out that Leicester also had a tough relegation battle with Crystal Palace on Saturday as well, but they seemed much more lively than us in the second half. Perhaps it didn’t help that Mike Jones seemed to favour the away side, but Wenger refused to put the blame on the referee. “Yes. I didn’t agree with all the decisions but I don’t think it was a violent game. It was a fair game. Leicester fight not to go down and when you see the way they play football, you are surprised they’re not bottom of the league and they want to get rid of their manager.
“If they keep quiet, don’t panic and stick together they will get out of that. For me they are one of the better sides we have played at the bottom of the league.”
Okay so it wasn’t a great day at the office, but we have moved back above Tottenham and into Fourth, so let’s just be happy with that and try and recover for Sunday’s FA Cup defence aganst Middlesbrough on Sunday…..