Source: Daily_Mail
Arsene Wenger demands Arsenal bounce back from shock Spurs defeat against Braga
Imparting wisdom: Wenger talks to Marouane Chamakh during training ahead of Tuesday's game against Braga[LNB]When trying to overcome the shock of a home defeat by your greatest rivals, especially after throwing away a two-goal lead, then the perfect opposition would seem to be a side you have already thrashed 6-0. [LNB]Arsenal, however, are a team who have developed some bad habits, one of which is an extremely suspect record on their travels in Europe. [LNB]They have won just two and lost seven of their last 11 away Champions League games. It is something Arsene Wenger professes not to be too concerned about, and with his side only requiring a draw in Braga tonight to progress to the knockout stages, he can afford not to be. [LNB]What is far more troubling for the Gunners boss will be if his team throw away another commanding position, as they did against Tottenham on Saturday. [LNB]By his own admission, developing that habit is likely to have catastrophic effects on the mindset of his players. 'That's the danger,' conceded Wenger. 'Mentality can become an issue. I don't think it will be, but that's the fear. [LNB]If it's repeated it can become something that blocks the team.' Arsenal will have little chance of ending a run of six seasons without a trophy should they develop the footballing equivalent of 'the yips'. [LNB] Head boy: Kaboul scored a late goal as Spurs came from behind to beat their rivals [LNB]Wenger is determined that will not happen. 'It was not rational howwe lost a game of that magnitude leading 2-0,' he said. 'The way weconceded the goals leaves us with many regrets.[LNB] 'It is down to something. Sometimes we are easing up in gamesbecause maybe subconsciously we feel we need to go through the motions.Sometimes it is a more subtle subconscious feeling that we have not wonyet and we get a bit nervous when we have to become really concrete.[LNB] 'It's a bit like a Formula One driver when he goes into the curveand thinks, "I want to cross the line at the end". He goes into thewall. 'But if he focuses on how he wants to take his curve he has achance to get out of it. And it's a bit the same in our game. We needto bounce back as quickly as possible.' [LNB]The healing process starts tonight and Wenger feels that at least the defeat by Spurs has served to root out any complacency. [LNB]'If we had just won easily on Saturday, I would have said yes,'replied Wenger when asked whether his players could fall into the trapof taking the game more lightly. 'But with what happened to us againstSpurs everyone will be focused and want to perform at our best.' [LNB]There will be changes from the side which capitulated at theEmirates. Robin van Persie has been left at home to train as Wengerfeels that will be more beneficial to his recovery than a cameoappearance tonight. [LNB]Andrey Arshavin is rested while Kieran Gibbs is in for back-injuryvictim Gael Clichy. Wenger's need to manage Cesc Fabregas's troublesomehamstring is likely to see the Arsenal skipper held back in case ofemergencies while Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna are also expectedto start on the bench. [LNB]There could be a starting place, however, for Nicklas Bendtner,whose comments about his dissatisfaction with a place on the bench ledto him being left out at the weekend.[LNB] To be fair to Bendtner, Wenger was unable to keep his own emotionsin check on Saturday, hurling a bottle of water to the floor as histemper got the better of him. [LNB]'I was angry, of course, who wouldn't be?' said Wenger. 'My job isto win football games and when I don't I'm very angry and frustrated.'I am giving every drop of my blood to make sure this team wins and Iwant them to be successful. They deserve it.' [LNB] Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury joins Norwich on one-month loan Nasri continues Gallas row by claiming he'd never swap Arsenal for TottenhamChamakh insists Arsenal must forget derby agony and focus on BragaARSENAL FC
