I know it sounds like a cliche (not to mention that it also implies that sometimes Arsenal DO NOT always defend together), but our little Spaniard Santi Cazorla thinks that he has found the secret to Arsenal’s winning run – particularly when talking about our spectacular success over Liverpool this weekend.
Santi told the official Arsenal website last night: “It’s a very important win for us because Liverpool are with us fighting for the Champions League,”
“Liverpool have very good players with Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho but the team played very compact and played together, which is very important for us. When we defend together, we always win.”
“The confidence is high for everyone and we need to play the same. Now we have a week of rest, and then we need to prepare for the next game,”
That is quite a simplistic version of the reason we destroyed Liverpool, and Arsene Wenger gave a more detailed analysis, pinpointing the “intensity” of our game (and maybe a little luck) that did the damage. Le Prof said: “We started with intensity, we decided to do that before the game and I must say credit to the players because they did it in a convincing way,”
“It is a great result and before the game we would have signed for that. We played with good intensity, took advantage of our strong moments and once or twice we maybe got lucky, but overall I’m happy with the cohesion, the urgency, the desire.
“The quality of our movement around the box was great, so overall it is a good day.”
This has left the Gunners securely in the Top Four, but Wenger is not getting complacent just yet, especially as we can still (mathematically) finish anywhere from First to Fifth. He continued: “We’re in a strong position. It is down to us to remain as consistent as we are at the moment, and we can look back with a little distance and up front because Man City are there and we have to wait to see their result. We will do as well as we can until the end.”
Well Arsene, just remember when it comes to the final team talk before the Burnley game. Just say to the players, “Remember to defend together, lads!”
Onwards and Upwards!