Manager Arsene Wenger criticized Arsenal’s often impressive centre-halves after the Premier League leaders lost to Manchester United as the title race heats up.
Manager Arsene Wenger criticizes Arsenal after Sunday’s defeat (Image: BeIn Sports)
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted that Arsenal could be overly reliant on corner kicks and claimed that the centre-halves were nervous during the defeat to Manchester United.
Michael Carrick’s excellent start continued as the Red Devils secured a stunning win at the Emirates, just eight days after defeating Manchester City. The head coach saw his team come back from behind to take the lead before scoring the winning goal late on.
In the end, it was Matheus Cunha’s long-range strike that delivered a thrilling five-goal victory, with Wenger rewarding Carrick after seeing the former Middlesbrough manager lead an effective rebuild since taking over.
Speaking about his former team, he suggested games were decided by “attacking and defending corners” with the Gunners frequently turning to set-pieces, which contributed to the second goal, but the Frenchman said he also saw a new side to the central defender.
Wenger told BeIn Sports: “It’s hard to win when you concede three goals at home. The goals from both teams are a little bit representative of how both teams play.”
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“The Manchester United game had a good build-up and good cohesion, whereas the Arsenal game, for example the second goal, was decided by fight and power in the corners. The first goal was similarly not a clean play. They gave everything Arsenal had, but as I said in the first half, they lacked a bit of patience and technical cohesion.”
He added: “I believe Carrick has found a good formula that strikes a balance between defensive stability and skill level. This is the first time I’ve felt that (Arsenal’s) centre-backs are a bit more nervous and less dominant than they normally are in games.”
Arsenal have closed the gap at the top of the Premier League (Image: BEN STANSALL, AFP via Getty Images)
City’s win on Saturday opened the title race, with just four points separating them. The same can be said for third-placed Aston Villa, who won against Newcastle on Sunday. Arsenal have only picked up two points from their last three games and have allowed the gap to close.
There is talk and questions being asked of North Londoners being nervous as they still have to face Josep Guardiola’s side later this year and hope to end a run of three consecutive second-place finishes.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira told Sky Sports: “We are still four points behind, but there are still doubts about the team’s mental strength.”
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