The Frenchman knows his side will now have to
win either in Germany or Naples if they are to
qualify from Group F after Robert Lewandowski
struck a late winner at the Emirates
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger backed his "jaded"
players to bounce back from Tuesday's Champions
League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
The 2-1 loss to Jurgen Klopp's men at the Emirates
Stadium was Arsenal's first in Group F, while it also
ended the Premier League leaders' 12-game unbeaten
run in all competitions.
And while Wenger believes Arsenal can and will recover
quickly from the setback, the Frenchman also lamented
the goals conceded against ther German side.
"Disappointment is part of how a team grows," Wenger
told reporters after the match.
"Some players are a bit jaded, it was a game of high
intensity but very few chances. Dortmund were well
organised to stop us playing but we put ourselves on
the back foot for the first goal and were naive for the
second.
"We started hesitantly and gave them confidence. Our
fluent football was not quick enough."
Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli are all level on six points
and Wenger believes his side need to win one of their
remaining two away games - in Germany and Italy - to
be sure of qualification.
"The group is tight and difficult for us, but it is possible
(to qualify). We need a result away from home," he
added.
Midfielder Mikel Arteta echoed Wenger's sentiments,
although he conceded the defeat makes progression
much more difficult for the Gunners.
"It's going to be tough now," he said.
"This is probably the toughest group in the
competition, but I think we are still capable of going
through."
Comments
Post a Comment