Wenger: United deserve to be in the final

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
05 May	7:45 PM	CL	Manchester United (H)	1	3	Lost

After being knocked out by current European champions Manchester United, manager Arsène Wenger says that his arch-rivals deserve to be in the final of the Champions League.

Arsenal never really looked like scoring against a well-organised United defence and admittedly, the entire tie could have been over after the first leg.

The Frenchman conceded: "We could talk all night but it would not change the mistakes now – that's the game.

"I must say that, over the two games, Manchester United deserved to go through because the game could have been over in the first leg.

"We had a good opportunity to come back and I believe we would have done it but overall they were the better side – congratulation to them and good luck in the Final.

"We had some experienced defensive players who were out for a long time. We had to deal with that.

"I wouldn't like to blame the players who played but it's part of football.

"Of course you do not plan it but we have to stand up for it and finish the season well and respond well against Chelsea."

User Comments

Douglas - Stevenage

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 11:58 PM - Reply

Arsenal's fall to Man U has nothing to do with an experienced player being out or luck. It is simply Wenger's inability to realise that physical and mental strengths COMBINED are necessary to win the trophy he yearns so much to win. It's a shame that a manager of his status and experience does not review and revise a method that has not worked for him in about 4 years. And if Wenger remains Arsenal's manager for the next 10 years and does not change his love for young boys, every season would end up the way it's been for the last 4 years.

Nashville Gooner

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 06:31 PM - Reply

Alright, What the hell was the lineup about last night?

Diaby on the bench, Eboue on the bench to start, man we have so many weenies on our team.

Wenger, recognize the career injury players and cut em now, We have to be the most injured team in the league, check ManU's roster, yeah they have a few injuries but they recover quickly.

This is proof that we can utilize Wengers youth policy to only a certain extent before experience needs to take over. Gibbs, while it was a slip, never looked comfortable in the big game situation. If we had a Puyol, Marquez, Terry, or Vidic in there, we would have played much better football.

We need a striker who is not afraid to be the leader on the team. Adebayor is simply looking for the next offer, offload him now before he really loses interest in Arsenal. Bring Eduardo into the first team permanently next season and watch the goals pour in!!!

There are no aged leaders in our squad, it is pretty bad when Fab and Toure are the oldest original Gunners around. Yeah we have Gallas but he was old chelsea! We need to plug a few vets in there to yell at the young ones!!

Scott

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 04:40 PM - Reply

Arsenals result was well deserved. LUCK PLAYED NO PART. Arsenal was outplayed, outcoached and outclassed. I am truly a Gunners fan but last night, on the biggest stage, proved why Fergie is the top manager in the world and Wenger still has a ways to go to catch him. As said in another post we need STEEL in the midfield and in the back. We have enough quickness and guile. It's about time we spend big and get some b!lls in the midfield. I think it was a HUGE mistake to let Upson go. Him and Toure would make a magnificant CB pairing. OH well. I look forward to another summer of signing 12 year olds and bargain basement players. BUT I will still support the Gunners!

King_Henry

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 04:13 PM - Reply

I'm from Malaysia. I was watching the game on tv. I could see the 'so-called' Arsenal fans were starting to empty the stadium. I have to admit that the Gunners played very bad but shame on you, the fans, you guys dont deserve to get a such a wonderful club. Even I was watching the game till the end hoping that the players could improve their play although the game was ended straight after it was started. You guys need to learn a lot from Liverpool fans who never taste EPL title since 20 years back, yet they all are always behind Liverpool. Envy of them! Live long Gooners!

heartbroken

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 03:52 PM - Reply

whn will arsenal deserve a win Arsene? whn?

Limerick Gunner

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 01:18 PM - Reply

The time for self-delusion has got to be over. The present team doesn't have the heart and I doubt if it ever will. They never seem to understand that you've got to earn the right to play your football. And when a real outfit puts it up to them - particularly an outfit that combine foreign technique to English work rate - they can't do it. Where's the bite? Where's the Arsenal player who's going to make the the oooposition pull out of a challenge or play a hurried pass 'cos they can see him closing in. He's not there. And don't say Diaby - he's a bargain basement Viera. New centre halves (Upson?) and someone who can play like Gattuso used to do or Mascherano does now. The great Arsenal teams married power to beauty, we've got to get that back. If Arsene persists with the present course then we'll get the same results. Somebody's got to have a word.

My Word

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 12:16 PM - Reply

Where is the one touch football Arsenal used to be known for? Gone with the experienced players or in the oven of the youngsters, still cooking? Time for some experience and one touch football please. Arsene, bolster your squad with few tested players

bertie

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 11:30 AM - Reply

that's a joke right?

Arsenal were totally owned both first and second legs. one attempt on goal over 2 games versus Utds many many attempts (and 4 conversions). Arsenal's penalty should not have been a pen so really it should have been at least 4-0 and not 4-1

Even Arsene wouldn't be foolish enough to call the overall result lucky.

Arsenal defended pretty poorly last night, though to be fair I don't think many teams would have been able to handle that night's Park Anderson Ronaldo Rooney threat.
Every Man U player played well and closed Arsenal down fast. The defence was awesome.

Pretty much every Arsenal player struggled without time on the ball and Arenal's defence was very poor.

Come on Utd. Back to back double time!!!

fabregas c-poly ghana

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 11:11 AM - Reply

i think yesterday was all luck for united and arsenal were just unlucky on the day.wenger should know how to defend a little bit and show the class of scoring and talking to song to play like flamini.WE cant be loosing all the one on one matches always.this is the time we all have to get behind the team.they are young and they need us.look at Liverpool when they were down by 3-1 at anfield their fans did not leave the stadium but cheered them to the last minute against Chelsea

fabregas c-poly ghana

Posted on 6 May, 2009 at 10:53 AM - Reply

i think yesterday was all luck for united and arsenal were just unlucky on the day.wenger should know how to defend a little bit and show the class of scoring and talking to song to play like flamini.WE cant be loosing all the one on one matches always.this is the time we all have to get behind the team.they are young and they need us.look at Liverpool when they were down by 3-1 at anfield their fans did not leave the stadium but cheered them to the last minute against chelsea

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