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Arsene Wenger hints at private issues affecting Arsenal in 'absolutely disastrous' Liverpool hammering
Arsene Wenger branded Arsenal’s capitulation to Liverpool ‘absolutely disastrous’ after suffering the indignity one of the lowest days in his managerial career at Anfield.
The first crisis of the season has arrived at The Emirates swifter than Wenger could have imagined following the 4-0 rout, the problems that raised questions about the manager’s future last year seemingly unresolved.
Wenger hinted at private issues contributing to an abysmal showing and he did not hold back in an emotive appraisal of the drubbing, courtesy of goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge.
Asked what went wrong Wenger said: “Everything. From the first to the last minute, not physically, not technically not mentally we were not at the level and we were punished. It was a tough day. You can analyse the chances we gave away but overall the performance was not at the requested level.”
Pushed on why, Wenger added: “That is very difficult to answer after the game. There are some reasons but I don’t think I have too much to comment on that now.
“Now we have played three games, one home game and two away games. In two games we looked quite good but today the performance was not acceptable at that level.”
Wenger has suffered some harrowing defeats in his career, but the timing and manner of this was especially damaging with the club trying to improve morale and belief having dropped out of the Champions League last season.
It comes with several players’ futures – short-term and long-term – under scrutiny, and the commitment of numerous Arsenal players was questionable.
“It is true that today that we were an easy opponent for Liverpool,” he said, before being ushered to leave his post-match Press Conference after just three questions and three minutes.
Earlier, Wenger told broadcast media he was shocked by his side’s display.
“The result is a consequence of our performance. We were not good enough,” he said.
"It was shocking but our performance was absolutely disastrous. Not to become too emotional, we have to take some distance, and there are some reasons behind it, and the players now go on their international break, but we do have to take the consequences of our performance today.
"If you find a manager who is happy with that performance today, I wish you good luck. The emotions are negative, but it’s not the right moment to talk about that.”
Arsenal fans vented their frustration, both jeering and sarcastically chanting about winning the league.
“That’s part of the crowd’s feelings. If I am the problem, I am sorry, but I believe all together we lose,” said Wenger.
“The only thing we can do is come back and give them a better level of performance.”
Arsenal’s performance provoked a scathing response from pundits, with legendary player Thierry Henry stating he could not view what was unfolding.
“It was unwatchable, at one point I wanted to leave. I don’t relate to the team and I don’t think a lot of the fans do. That is a problem,” said the club’s record goalscorer.
“It’s painful. It's how they lose. It’s always the same. You have seen it before. Everything you see reminds me of what has happened for the last 10 years.”
Gary Neville suggested every Arsenal player should be transfer-listed in shame.
“I'm absolutely fuming watching them. It's ridiculous some of the things you see from them,” said the former Manchester United defender.
“I'd stick them all up on the transfer list. Some of these Arsenal players want a move. Who would buy them?”
Graeme Souness was equally contemptuous.
"They were wishy-washy, weak-willed, pussy-footed, and those are the nice things I can say about them,” said Souness.
“When they are at their worst against a team who asks something of them they just wilt. It beggars belief that players with Premier League experience make mistake after mistake. It’s such basic stuff which could be put right quite easily.”
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech said the team must react immediately.
“The way it happened today is unacceptable, we weren't fighting, running enough or winning individual battles,” said Cech.
“We failed as a team to respond to their way of playing. We only have ourselves to blame. We have to respond and we have time to respond.”
It now promises to be an uncertain few days for Arsenal as the transfer window closes. Wenger was non-committal when quizzed on the future of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Shkodran Mustafi.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is the subject of interest from Liverpool and Chelsea. “That is not the kind of question I can answer after a game like that,” said Wenger, when quizzed on the player’s future.
“What we have in the transfer market in the next three or four days I don’t know.”