Football
ESPN staff 9y

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal not efficient enough in Manchester United loss

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lamented his side's lack of efficiency as their patchy form continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.

The Gunners failed to make the most of a dominant opening spell in which they were unable to beat United goalkeeper David De Gea.

And they were the architects of their own downfall when they went behind to a Kieran Gibbs own goal after the break, with Wayne Rooney adding a late second against an undermanned defence.

Although Olivier Giroud pulled one back with a thumping effort, it proved to be too late to make any difference to the result as United boss Louis van Gaal secured his first away win.

"We dominated for 80 percent of the time, but we were not efficient enough defensively or in the final third," Wenger told his postmatch press conference, reported on Arsenal's official Twitter feed.

"You have to be efficient in the top-level game. We weren't. We made a big mistake for the first goal, and then we weren't cautious enough.

"There were still lots of positives in today's game. We had plenty of opportunities to finish the game off.

"We have to play with confidence, and we have to be a bit more calm and patient."

Wenger said goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, hurt in a collision with Gibbs in the buildup to the opening United goal, "is not a bad injury."

But he added that he "did not know" about Jack Wilshere, who limped off with what appeared to be an ankle problem after a challenge by Paddy McNair.

^ Back to Top ^