Arsene left shellshocked by Cuper's boys

Last updated : 18 September 2003 By Chris Parry
He said after the game:

"We made defensive mistakes but we also made mistakes up front with our final ball. I am disappointed as I felt that everything turned against us. Inter played well but they were not unbeatable and the difference between the two teams was not 3-0."

"We can complain and cry the whole night but that will not change the result. The only thing we can do is to respond. We must not become desperate. We have lost one game at home but there are still five to play and we are top of the Premier League.

"We must show character and spirit against Manchester United on Sunday."

Too right they must!

Gooners will be dismayed at last night's performance, but at the end of the day we're unbeaten in the league, and still have five Champions League group matches left to play, so there's no reason for a lot of the doom and gloom merchants to be so vocal.

What is slightly disturbing is that we do not have a centre back pairing who are experienced enough at this level. Toure was great last night, however one has to question his level of experience. The fact is that had the money been available this summer, Arsene would have probably dusted off the chequebook to sign a world class centre half - it wasn't, so he couldn't.

Being the man manager that he his, he's not about to come out and say that he's only using Kolo because he couldn't afford better, and I admire him for that.

To be honest I think he'd be better off using Keown for these Euro encounters - What he lacks in pace now would be made up for by his experience of playing at this level.