Manager Arsene Wenger has spoken of his delight at Arsenal’s form going into the next international break following victory over Brighton at the weekend.
Hosting Brighton at the Emirates Stadium for the game, Arsenal took the two nil win with goals coming from Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi, and with players off on international duty now, Wenger was pleased with how the side have got back on track following the defeat to Liverpool earlier in the campaign.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media post game, the Frenchman explained.
‘I would say that we kept a clean sheet, we got the points and offensively we were certainly not ruthless enough. Our focus and the pace in the game was a bit in and out, we had good moments and as well moments where we lost a bit our concentration in balls that we usually don`t lose, but we got what we wanted and it was just before the break. Our last international break was a nightmare, this one is a bit better.’
He went on to say that really the break comes at the wrong time given our form.
‘Yes I would have loved to continue to play, but we cannot do anything about that and let`s hope that the players come back in good shape. Some players will not go on the international break. Laurent Koscielny, because he has an Achilles problem, Mesut Ozil because he has an inflammation of his knee and Danny Welbeck as well because he`s not fit.’
As for Liverpool and being written off.
‘I knew that after the game at Liverpool everybody did write us off, I knew that it just depends on us, on how much we respond. Nothing is permanent, you are not bad in a permanent way if you can do something about it and you`re not good in a permanent way if you don`t keep your urgency, so we responded in a united way and we could put some wins together and some good performances as well.’
He wouldn’t be overly drawn on the future though. Asked about catching up with Manchester’s United and City, he added.
‘It`s too early to draw conclusions. It`s very early, seven games played and 31 to go. Last year after six games Man City was top with 18 points, so let`s not go to pick conclusions. They played outstanding yesterday, but there`s a long way to go.’
With Iwobi finding the net, he was only passed fit to play late on, so Wenger was pleased with his performance.
‘I think he`s a kind of player who has a good availability. He helps you a lot to get out of pressure when you are in a build up game and creates spaces. What you want from him is final balls and goals as well. A player like him must score 10 goals and he must as well give between six and 10 assists and that`s what I want from him.’
Sead Kolasinac also came in for praise.
‘I believe that it`s satisfaction since he arrived here. You know why nobody talks about him so much, because the transfer amount was not excessive, but what is important is the quality of his performances. I am very happy with his performances.’
With Alexis Sanchez providing the assist for Iwobi’s first Premier League goal since last January, Wenger added.
‘It was a real thing of beauty. Alexis gave some great balls today and that was one of them. I like the fact that we didn`t concede goals, that we got the three points, that we played the third game in a row in six days and won the game, that`s what I liked. What I liked less is that on the focus sometimes I feel we eased off a bit and missed some passes that we are not used to missing because our concentration was a bit in and out.’
He added.
‘It`s important to be imaginative against a defensive team, and as well to move the ball quickly, but sometimes I felt with the desire to speed the game up we confused ourselves a bit, rushing the game and moving the ball quickly. We rushed and wanted to go directly to the decisive ball, we were not patient enough and we lost some balls because of that. Overall we need creativity and the best example is certainly our second goal.’
