Jump directly to the content
Rise again

Arsene Wenger channels inner Johnny Rotten by declaring ‘anger will help’ Arsenal return after Manchester United defeat

The Gunners chief saw red after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Jose Mourinho's side at the Emirates but says their rage will provide energy

ARSENE WENGER has gone all Johnny Rotten as he claims that anger is an energy to help Arsenal rise from yet another major disappointment.

The Frenchman could not hide his seething frustration at his team’s latest failure to put down a marker against a top-four rival.

 Arsene Wenger saw red after Arsenal's 3-1 defeat
7
Arsene Wenger saw red after Arsenal's 3-1 defeatCredit: Getty

Usually it is the hyper-critical Arsenal fans who are first to vent their fury at the first sign of a setback.

But this time all the rage was coming from within the Emirates dressing-room at the sheer injustice of a result.

Wenger’s players were surprised to leave the pitch with the cheers of the ringing in their ears after being denied by a world-class display from David De Gea.

Wenger said: “The crowd was outstanding today because they could see that the team produced what was expected from them.

 Arsene Wenger is using his inner Johnny Rotten to boost Arsenal again
7
Arsene Wenger is using his inner Johnny Rotten to boost Arsenal againCredit: Getty
 Goalkeeper David de Gea put on a remarkable display for Manchester United
7
Goalkeeper David de Gea put on a remarkable display for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“We take a lot of positives from that performance because the spirit and attitude of the players and the quality of our combinations were top class.

“But we have enough experience to get better out of a game like this and that is why I am angry. And the players share that anger.


ROUD AWAKENING France urge Olivier Giroud to quit Arsenal for sake of World Cup dream


“We have lost games here to Manchester United in the past when we didn’t deserve anything. But it’s very  difficult to accept when you produce a performance like this and still have nothing to show for it.

“It’s unbelievable that we did not get even one point and I feel very sorry for the players.

 Rivals Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho shake hands at Old Trafford
7
Rivals Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho shake hands at Old TraffordCredit: Getty - Contributor

“But the fact is that we were simply not efficient enough. They have scored three and we have scored only one.

“David De Gea is an outstanding goalkeeper and I don’t want to take anything away from his performance. But despite him we should have scored more from 33 shots on goal.

“If I am an Arsenal player and we lose a game after all that we produced today, I cannot accept that.

“I am not here to blame anybody but this result has to make us angry and even more determined.”

Gunners keeper Petr Cech summed up the frustration in the camp when he claimed: “There are not many times when you play Manchester United and dominate the whole game.

 Petr Cech insists that side his must keep fighting
7
Petr Cech insists that side his must keep fightingCredit: REUTERS

“We created so many chances and the game was decided by the efficiency of the two teams in front of goal.

“It was a complete opposite to our last game against Huddersfield when we scored with nearly every shot.

“We made two big mistakes right at the start. But even when we were 2-0 down we were sure it would be game on if we could pull a goal back.

“We managed to do that and we thought that would be the turning point. But we missed more chances to equalise and unfortunately they scored a third goal.”

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino chucked in the title towel last week when his team fell ten points behind leaders Manchester City.

 Arsene Wenger looks dejected on the sidelines at the Emirates
7
Arsene Wenger looks dejected on the sidelines at the EmiratesCredit: AFP or licensors

Wenger, though, is not giving up. He declared: “I am not Pochettino, I am Arsene Wenger and I am here to fight for as long as I can.

“Of course every point you drop has an impact because City are so far in front  that everybody has already crowned them champions.

“But as long as it is still mathematically possible you have to keep fighting.”

 Jesse Lingard bagged a brace for the visitors
7
Jesse Lingard bagged a brace for the visitorsCredit: REUTERS
Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United : David De Gea shines as Red Devils park the bus for big win at Emirates
Topics