Source: Team_Talk
Arsenal blunders frustrate Wenger
The Gunners had looked in complete control on Sunday following first-half goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas.[LNB]However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back following a free-kick, before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late penalty.[LNB]West Ham finished with 10 men when Scott Parker was shown a second yellow card, but were not to be denied a much-needed positive result as England goalkeeper Robert Green - at fault for the opener - produced a fine reaction save from Van Persie's bullet header in stoppage time.[LNB]Had Arsenal held on, it would have been their fifth straight victory in the Premier League, and made more of Manchester United's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.[LNB]Wenger accepted it was a "major missed opportunity".[LNB]The Arsenal manager said: "We were in control, but as long as you do not score the third goal, you know the game is not won.[LNB]"In fairness, West Ham continued to fight until the last minute and we conceded from two set pieces, which were generous ones.[LNB]"I do not think that either should have been given, but we cannot influence the decision of the referee.[LNB]"The crowd got behind the referee's decision and then it is always difficult away from home.[LNB]"We are an intelligent team and an intelligent team makes the maximum result with the game they produce. That is what we did not do.[LNB]"We complicated our game a little bit and had five or six chances in the second half, but we missed the final ball. That is what we have to learn."[LNB]After Liverpool inflicted holders Manchester United's second loss of the season, Wenger reflected on two points dropped for his third-placed team.[LNB]"It is very frustrating," he added.[LNB]"It is, of course, a major missed opportunity. In our job, you don't have this luxury.[LNB]"You need to get points when you deserve to get points and sometimes when you don't deserve to get the points.[LNB]"Today we never got them when we deserved them - and that means we have not made the maximum of what we should have done.[LNB]"But we have to keep the positives as we played well and are a strong team.[LNB]"We want to learn to finish these games off which is basically the most important lesson of the day.[LNB]"We have a great chance [for the title] this year, but you cannot repeat this kind of performance we had today and not come out with three points."[LNB]West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola praised the fighting spirit of his team.[LNB]The introduction of both Diamanti and England Under-21 international Zavon Hines helped inject fresh impetus to the Hammers frontline.[LNB]Zola said: "It is not a victory, but it sounds like it with the crows, and that is what I was looking for.[LNB]"No matter what, the spirit has to be there all the time. That is something we can not do without.[LNB]"Last week [at Stoke] I saw something, a change and it is very important and today I have seen something more.[LNB]"It was very difficult to come back from that situation, but we did it and I am very pleased and proud of them.[LNB]"I am more focused on the point and to give a signal we are there and we are fighting."[LNB]While the Hammers - who have not won in the league since the opening day - remain in the bottom three, the Italian coach feels he has enough to be positive for the challenges ahead.[LNB]"Today was difficult and we did it and that means we can do it all the time," he said.[LNB]"With that spirit and with the qualities we have in the team, I think we can do better things starting today."[LNB]Zola added: "This team has got quality. We just need a bit more confidence.[LNB]"Now, every time we make a mistake they score. That does not help. We need to fight, fight, fight."[LNB][LNB]
