Wenger: We gave away two cheap goals
Dear Supporter,
The disappointment of the FA Cup Semi-Final is that we gave two cheap goals away, and in a game at that level it has a bad outcome, especially with six minutes to go. It was a big blow.
We missed a few opportunities on crosses in the second half, and were unlucky in the last minute when Arshavin had a shot. Chelsea had one or two chances, but it looked like it would go to extra time until we gave a goal away that you should not give away at this level.
The pitch was a problem but I believe for Chelsea it was tough as well. It is not a pitch you should have in a stadium that cost this amount of money. It is laughable. The quality of the pitch is a disaster.
I had to rotate my squad for Saturday’s game. Alex Song has played many games and I believe when you do that you need rest. Plus Chelsea have some tall boys who make it physical in midfield and we needed a player like Diaby to be capable of fighting against them. Also Nasri was sick last week and he looked a bit tired.
We played with three strikers – Theo, Robin and Adebayor – and I couldn’t play with four when Chelsea had three in midfield. We are a team with eight games in 24 days and you cannot imagine playing every game with exactly the same players.
Drogba made the difference for Chelsea. He is a winner, and he scores in big games. I feel we made it a little easier for him, but he never stops, he is always focused. Look at the amount of goals he scores in big games, you can only say he is a great player. He dives sometimes a little bit too much but he is a winner.
The Chelsea winner will damage Fabianski’s confidence because he will feel a little bit guilty, but you cannot blame any individual. You want the whole team to focus and respond quickly against Liverpool; we have them, Middlesbrough and the Champions League Semi-Final so we have to respond very quickly.
One of the positives from Saturday was Walcott’s performance. Theo was always a threat and he always gave you hope he could give you something special. He is developing very well as a player. Now he gets in front of full-backs and gets goals, which is a very good sign as he is still very young.
Thanks for your support.
A reviewer would find 50 things to say about the above.
A critic would look at the bigger picture and see what is missing from it.
Question : What is missing?
Answer : He doesn’t mention Arshavin.