Football-Sportclub: Arsene Wenger

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praises 'hard-working' Mathieu Flamini

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed fighter Mathieu Flamini after the midfielder marked his first appearance of the season with a double strike to help beat Tottenham 2-1 in the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane.

The 31-year-old, who could have left the club during the summer transfer window, netted a superb second-half volley to secure bragging rights for Gunners fans.

Arsenal had taken a first-half lead when Flamini tucked the ball in from close range following a parry by goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Spurs, though, rallied after the restart and were level on 56 minutes when Callum Chambers deflected a cross from Nacer Chadli past his own goalkeeper David Ospina.

However, it was Arsenal - beaten at Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday - who finished strongly, with Flamini crashing in a fine 25-yard effort on 78 minutes following a ballooned clearance by Spurs defender Federico Fazio to send the travelling support into raptures.

"You do not expect Mathieu Flamini to score two goals but he was certainly frustrated for a long time and he went for it," said Wenger.

"He has worked very hard recently and I saw in training he was very focused, that he had come back to a good level, also I wanted to strengthen our defensive midfield.

"He is a fighter, Mathieu, and a winner as well.

"I told him at the start of the season it might be difficult for him to be a starter, but he decided to stay and he did fight."

Wenger was pleased with the way his team, which included several changes from the starting XI at Stamford Bridge, secured a hard-earned victory.

"Overall we responded well mentally and physically to the challenge we faced tonight, and it was a convincing performance," the Arsenal manager said.

"We were unlucky with the own goal and after found the resources to score a second goal."

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino felt his side had done enough to get a positive result.

"It was a missed opportunity because we dominated the second half and had the better chances," he said.

"In general the performance was very good and I am happy with the effort from my players, but both goals we conceded were a bit lucky maybe. Also we made some mistakes but this is football."

Pochettino defended his decision to select the likes of both Vorm and Fazio, a player who came close to being sold in the summer.

"It is a competition which is a good opportunity for him (Vorm) and we need to show more respect," the Spurs boss said.

"Look at Arsenal - they played Ospina and is the result is on the other side, then it would be the same question for Wenger.

"He deserves to play."

Pochettino continued: "I don't regret (my selections) - you can make mistakes, remember when (Diego) Maradona missed a penalty? These are big players but this can happen, they are not machines.

"We need to take a lot of positive things. Yes, our supporters and us will feel very bad, when you play against your sporting enemy you want to win more, but this is football.

"We need to be happy in the way we played and disappointed with the way we lost the game, but now we need to prepare for the game on Saturday against Manchester City, when we will have one day less to prepare."

Following the final whistle there were some disturbances in the away end, with Arsenal supporters seen pulling down Tottenham signs.

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal were 'a bit unlucky' after defeat at Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit out at Romanian referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan for sending off striker Olivier Giroud after the Gunners slumped to a 2-1 defeat in their Champions League Group F opener at Dinamo Zagreb.

The France forward missed a couple of early chances before collecting two cautions in the first half, for dissent and then tripping Daniel Ivo Pinto.

Dinamo went on to record their first Champions League win since September 1999, having taken the lead against the run of play with an own goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when the ball bounced back off him past goalkeeper David Ospina, who had saved Josip Pivaric's shot.

The hosts doubled their lead through a powerful header by Junior Fernandes and despite a late goal from substitute Theo Walcott, Arsenal were left to reflect on another frustrating European away performance.

Wenger - who had made half a dozen changes with one eye on Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Chelsea – pulled few punches in his assessment of the official.

"We were a bit unlucky tonight," the Frenchman said. "I believe the first goal is offside and after the sending-off is very harsh.

"We were not at our best, but nor was the referee tonight.

"The first yellow is Giroud's fault because he protested, even if it was not a foul against him. But after he should not have responded to the referee.

"The second yellow card, he is unlucky to touch the guy - he did not see him. It was accidental completely, but it happened.

"I don't understand the referee. It has to be on purpose, a foul on purpose. Then the referee should have given many yellows tonight."

Wenger, however, accepted Arsenal were well below the required performance.

"We have for a part to look at ourselves also, because the second goal kills our game. On the corner we were guilty not to defend it well," he said.

"When you don't win the game you have to look at yourself and think you haven't got it right.

"I don't believe the players who came in had a bad game but it didn't work, it didn't work.

"I have to analyse that well. It is very difficult to give a definite answer straight after the game."

Arsenal next host Olympiacos before a double-header with group favourites Bayern Munich.

Wenger said: "Mathematically, we can qualify without any problem if we produce our performances that we want at home.

"Overall, I believe we have problems to start in every competition this season. We had problems in the Premier League and again in the Champions League tonight, but I am confident we can put that right in the next five games."

Dinamo Zagreb manager Zoran Mamic had warned his side had no intentions of giving Arsenal an easy ride at the Maksimir Stadium.

Mamic praised the way Dinamo – who have never qualified for the knockout stages - went about their business.

He said: "I am very happy and proud. I thank the team for doing what I told them and the fans for pushing us when Arsenal had us under pressure.

"Now they have such confidence because see how good they really are.

"After this we are ready for anything which might come, but are also aware of the strength of the group and cannot fall into euphoria."

Chelsea striker Diego Costa awaiting possible sanction from Football Association

Diego Costa and Chelsea can today expect to discover from the Football Association if the striker has a case to answer for his role in Saturday's feisty victory over Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho was seething when Costa was retrospectively sanctioned in February for treading on Liverpool's Emre Can, part of a perceived "campaign" against his side which included a Sky Sports montage entitled 'Costa's Crimes'.

The Chelsea boss would be expected to be similarly unhappy if Costa is charged for a series of incidents involving Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel, after labelling the striker "fantastic" and his man of the match following the 2-0 win.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had a contrasting view and hopes referee Mike Dean will look again at Costa's actions after filing his match report by today.

The match officials should have been aware of Costa's reputation during his first 14 months in the Barclays Premier League, says Wenger, but statistics show the striker did not commit a foul in the match.

The Gunners boss rebuked Dean for allowing the running feud between Costa and Gabriel to continue before the Arsenal defender saw red.

"He (Dean) let it go and I don't know why," Wenger said.

"I would like Mike Dean to look at the whole action that happened during the game and see if he stands for his decision.

"You have a fourth official, you have a linesman, the referee and they talk all the game. They can tell you and they know Diego Costa. He is not a newcomer.

"It is surprising. If I am a referee and I referee Diego Costa, I do not send somebody off quickly if he responds to it because you know he has been well provoked."

Wenger, though, did not condone Gabriel, who was sent off for reacting to Costa's taunts, insisting that even if a player is spat at he must keep his cool.

Gabriel became involved after Costa grappled with Koscielny, pushing the defender in the face with his hands before catching him with a flailing arm.

"You have to be above that," Wenger added. "To be professional, to me, is to deal with that. You can spit in my face and if it's in a game then I will not respond. I do not guarantee that outside of the game.

"The desire to win has to be above all of that."

Mourinho chastised Gabriel for losing "emotional control", insisting Costa kept his.

He said: "Of course. That's (the opinion of) people that don't have the same opinion as I have.

"When you work the way he did, his movement, his creation. He was fantastic.

"The opponents have to keep emotional control, because to play against an attacking player that is aggressive, that goes to every ball, that fights for every ball, that is physical, it's difficult."

'Arsene Wenger must put faith in Theo Walcott'

After European disappointment in midweek, Arsene Wenger needs to trust Theo Walcott for the trip to Chelsea, writes BT Sport columnist Mike Calvin.

Even now, 18 months on, the memory of Arsene Wenger’s distress has lost none of its clarity or cruel power.

The defining image of the worst day of his football life captures him leaning forward in his seat at Stamford Bridge, covering his eyes with his left hand and massaging his temples in a poignant attempt to ease the strain.

His 1,000th match as Arsenal manager had turned into a self-confessed “nightmare.” Chelsea won 6-0 and the home crowd were chanting “specialist in failure” before half time.

Uniquely in my experience, Wenger lacked the moral courage to attend the post-match press conference. He later sought to take responsibility for the calamity, and absolved his players of blame.

That highlighted the excessive loyalty which will return to haunt him unless he makes a bold selection for tomorrow’s return to Stamford Bridge, which will be live on BT Sport.

It is a game neither team can afford to lose, though the momentum has shifted in Chelsea’s favour following contrasting midweek fortunes in Europe.

As Rio Ferdinand said, during the inquest into an ominously predictable Champions League defeat in Zagreb, Wenger needs to trust Theo Walcott.

He remains an enigmatic figure, who lacks the instinctive composure of a natural striker. His movement causes problems, yet no player has missed more chances in the Premier League this season.

Wenger insists Walcott will prove to be prolific, despite his conversion rate, but falls short of guaranteeing him the consistent run of games he needs to become a cohesive part of a shape-shifting Arsenal attack.

The weaknesses in Olivier Giroud’s character, underlined by self-destructive rashness and an increasing habit of snatching at opportunities, make a vow of faith in Walcott even more timely and significant.

Wenger’s reluctance to strengthen in the summer is already being felt, since the limited depth of his squad was brutally exposed in Croatia.

It was a wasted opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in particular. He failed to make a case to start consistently, since he lacked dynamism and defensive resolve.

The reliance on Francis Coquelin, who was rested along with Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey and Walcott, represents a glaringly avoidable problem.

He embodies the hunger and durability Arsenal will require in what is guaranteed to be a febrile atmosphere tomorrow, when Cech’s return to Chelsea will be another intriguing subplot.

They must answer the slur they are a soft touch, a team to embroider important matches rather than dominate them. As for Wenger, he must simply pray history doesn’t repeat itself.

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal can banish recent frustrations by beating Tottenham

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on his players to put their recent frustrations behind them by knocking local rivals Tottenham out of the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners go into the north London derby on the back of successive defeats, losing 2-0 at Chelsea following the away loss in their Champions League opener to Dinamo Zagreb.

Wenger believes his men were the victims of some rough justice in both matches, seeing forward Olivier Giroud sent off in Croatia while there were controversial red cards for both defender Gabriel and midfielder Santi Cazorla at Stamford Bridge, with Gabriel's having been overturned following an appeal.

The Arsenal manager, though, hopes having another big showdown can help his players get back on track.

"I believe we were unfortunate in Zagreb to have a man sent off, and at Chelsea as well, but you want your players to behave in a perfect way and not to show any response at all," Wenger said on Arsenal Player.

"We have shown our frustration a little bit in both situations and you cannot afford that."

Wenger continued: "We want to get back into winning habits and that is why the momentum is even more important for us.

"Every single game that you play with Arsenal you want to win, especially this one which is a bit more special because it is always a big meaning."

Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Sunday to move into ninth place, and just a point behind Arsenal.

Wenger has been impressed by the development of Mauricio Pochettino's squad.

"They had a slow start but since then they have had two good wins, so that will have boosted their confidence," the Gunners boss said.

"It makes you think it will be a very even game tomorrow."

Wenger suggested he would not be intending to blood too many youngsters at White Hart Lane, with Alex Iwobi and Glen Kamara perhaps the most likely to be promoted to the senior squad.

"We go game by game, so I will make changes, for sure. How many? I have not decided yet," said Wenger,

"It will be quite an experienced squad with one or two younger players."

While Cazorla is suspended, centre-back Per Mertesacker is available again following illness.

Defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin picked up a knee problem during the first half at Chelsea.

Wenger said: "His knee is swollen and he is being assessed, but we hope it is just a short-term problem."