Flamini: We weren't at our best

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
09 Mar	4:00 PM	P	Wigan Athletic (A)	0	0	Draw

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini has admitted that him and his team mates were suffering from a Champions League hangover, and weren't firing on all cylinders on Sunday against Wigan.

The Gunners dropped two valuable points but in all honesty never looked like scoring against a dogged and determined Wigan side, who are in a relegation battle.

It was a vast contrast to the Arsenal team that took Italian giants AC Milan to the cleaners at the San Siro a few weeks earlier.

And although a few quarters would point to the state of the pitch during the match, the Frenchman, dubbed 'little Gattusso' by his team mates, said that it was not to blame for his team's poor performance.

Flamini said: "Of course, it is very frustrating. We gave a lot on Tuesday and had to give a lot again at Wigan.

"It was not easy because it was difficult conditions. But it was important to stay focused defensively and offensively. I think we missed a little bit although we were unlucky.

"The pitch was horrible but what can you say? It was the same for both teams. Of course we like to play and we had to play more long balls so it was more difficult for us.

"But you cannot moan. You just have to score goals and we didn't so now we have to work harder in training and be ready for Middlesbrough [on Saturday].

"It's always difficult especially after big games like Milan, you need to be 200 per cent concentrated. But we had five days to recover.

"We missed a little bit in the final part. But it's like that sometimes. We have the quality and we are strong so we just have to keep going."

User Comments

west oz gooner

Posted on 11 Mar, 2008 at 03:19 PM - Reply

the pitch was also horrible, like at Old Trafford the last time we played there. other teams know we rely on a short passing game, which is why ManU soaked their pitch before the game, and at half time.
i sincerely doubt bendtner would have missed his kick in the first few minutes versus wigan if the ball hadn't bounced a foot or 2 into the air due to the pitch.

west oz gooner

Posted on 11 Mar, 2008 at 03:13 PM - Reply

they wouldn't have got 'smashed' after the game against Milan. The hangover they speak of isn't literal, its a term used to describe the massive energy used in winning a big game like at the San Siro.
I do disagree with the article however, as Arsenal certainly looked like scoring a few times, especially at the start, and the end. If Chris Kirkland hadn't been on his game, we would have walked it in.

misava

Posted on 11 Mar, 2008 at 12:28 PM - Reply

i think time has come for Gilberto to let go since his age and pace cant allow him to be at emirates poor passes is the last mistake you can make at arsenal

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea