"We have learned a lesson tonight – that at this level cannot lose focus at any moment and that's why we were punished," Wenger said. "The focus of the team was the problem, more than suffering in the midfield. It was a team problem, a kind of complacency problem more than an individual problem. We had a good start but after that we lost urgency and let Shakhtar back into the game. We lost concentration in the duels and you could see what was coming until half-time.
"We had our chances but we have learned that if we are not focused 100%, we don't win. We were 1-0 up and after a little while we dropped our urgency.
"I don't want to speak about individual performances because I don't think anyone was outstanding. It is a missed opportunity, especially as we were there with a draw. It was good to score the first goal but I believe it was a lack of maturity to make sure we focus 100%. We were not completely sharp and we were punished."
Arsenal are level on nine points with Shakhtar; Braga have six and welcome Wenger's team to Portugal in three weeks' time. "We want to win the next game but that will now be a difficult game," he said. "We are still in a strong position."
Arsenal also lost here 10 years ago. Wenger said: "I hope we do not have to play Shakhtar in Donetsk again after the results we have had in Ukraine."
Of Eduardo, his former striker, he said: "I don't take much pleasure for what Eduardo has achieved tonight but it is good to see him playing and this level and overall he has a very good game."
Arsenal play Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.
Source: Jamie Jackson, The Guardian on 4 Nov 10
No comments:
Post a Comment