Wenger frustrated but still optimistic

Last updated : 30 November 2003 By Chris Parry
He said after the game: "We've gone 46 games at home since last we failed to score. If it takes another 46 I will take that here and now.

"I would say we played well but had a frustrating result. Because we are Arsenal people always expect that goal to come because we always score goals. It was a question of patience. We lacked a little spark to be clinical in our finishing and tried to force it a little too much rather than use vision or relaxed finishing.

"They defended well, it was a game of forwards against defenders. They were obsessed by defending well, they had one shot on goal and no corners. I just felt our timing was not quite right.

"Their goalkeeper played well. I don't think he made any excellent saves but he didn't make any mistakes. We didn't give him any huge problems but tactically he was very good and saved what a good goalkeeper should save."

"Even if you know you can't afford to drop points because everyone at the top seems to be winning, you know you will. But we have 34 points from 14 games, we are the only unbeaten side in the Premiership and this is the first time we have got that many points at the start of a season.

"My players are very disappointed because they thought we should have won the game, but the quality of our play makes me optimistic for future."

"We've gone 46 games at home since last we failed to score. If it takes another 46 I will take that here and now.

"I would say we played well but had a frustrating result. Because we are Arsenal people always expect that goal to come because we always score goals. It was a question of patience. We lacked a little spark to be clinical in our finishing and tried to force it a little too much rather than use vision or relaxed finishing.

"They defended well, it was a game of forwards against defenders. They were obsessed by defending well, they had one shot on goal and no corners. I just felt our timing was not quite right.

"Their goalkeeper played well. I don't think he made any excellent saves but he didn't make any mistakes. We didn't give him any huge problems but tactically he was very good and saved what a good goalkeeper should save."

Arsenal saw Chelsea leapfrog them into top spot in the Premiership after their 1-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger added: "Even if you know you can't afford to drop points because everyone at the top seems to be winning, you know you will. But we have 34 points from 14 games, we are the only unbeaten side in the Premiership and this is the first time we have got that many points at the start of a season.

"My players are very disappointed because they thought we should have won the game, but the quality of our play makes me optimistic for future."

Chelsea are now a point in front of us following their victory over Manchester United, and the bookies have pushed our odds out from 15/8 to 2/1 for the title - third favourites.