Source: Team_Talk
Clichy: Details make the difference
The Gunners looked to be coasting towards a comfortable fifth straight league win when 2-0 up at West Ham on Sunday, only to allow the home side back into the match during the last 15 minutes.[LNB]Manager Arsene Wenger felt the key decisions given by referee Chris Foy - a free-kick against Abou Diaby which rookie keeper Vito Mannone pushed back into the six-yard box where Carlton Cole headed in and a penalty conceded by Alex Song's needless trip on the England striker - were somewhat "generous" in favour of the hosts.[LNB]However, Wenger did acknowledge his young side cannot afford many more such lapses in concentration if they are to sustain a serious title challenge.[LNB]Failure to close out victory at Upton Park was another hard lesson for the young Gunners, who were also caught by a stoppage-time equaliser in their Champions League clash at AZ Alkmaar last week.[LNB]Full-back Clichy, though, insists the team are determined to cut out such a costly loss of focus.[LNB]"We were in control of the game, but it is not enough because we have to win games and stop losing points like this because it is a big disappointment," he said.[LNB]"We have the quality, it is just small details that make the difference and we know that.[LNB]"On set-pieces you have to be focused and referee decisions are not in our hands.[LNB]"The Premier League is really tough - even at 3-0 up you can concede a draw or lose the game.[LNB]"That shows you the level of the competition and the teams we are playing against.[LNB]"That is good for English football, but we should have won the game."[LNB]Clichy, 24, added: "We do not really care about what the other teams (around us) do.[LNB]"We have to play our game and try to get as many points as possible."[LNB]Despite the disappointment of only leaving east London with a draw, Arsenal are, nevertheless, now up into third place on goal difference ahead of north London rivals Tottenham, whom they host next Saturday, and with a match in hand on both Manchester United and leaders Chelsea.[LNB]The French defender believes Wednesday night's visit of Liverpool in the Carling Cup cannot come soon enough.[LNB]"We know what we have done right and wrong," he said.[LNB]"When you make a mistake or have a bad game that the best way to forget it is to play as soon as possible.[LNB]"We have a big game on Wednesday in the Carling Cup against Liverpool, so we have to be focused on that and then of course Tottenham is a big derby for ourselves and for the fans."[LNB]Arsenal had gone into Sunday's game as the form side of the Premier League, with nine goals in the last two matches.[LNB]Wenger feels his team were guilty of overcomplicating matters, unable to create many real chances in the danger area despite plenty of the ball - although Robin van Persie did almost snatch a stoppage-time winner when his bullet header was well saved by England keeper Robert Green at point-blank range.[LNB]"There are periods like that, when you make a problem of it, it becomes a problem," said the Arsenal manager, determined not to overstate the issue.[LNB]"You have to continue to play and learn when leading to kill the games off and keep the way that we want to play the game.[LNB]"We missed the final ball as we played it too late. We have to learn that."[LNB]While clearly disappointed with the final outcome, Wenger also stressed there were plenty of reasons to stay positive for the battles ahead.[LNB]"It is tight and open at the top of the table," he said. "I am convinced that it will be tight until the end."[LNB]Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas knows the importance of the club challenging for the championship they last won in 2004.[LNB]Speaking to the arsenalfcblog.com website ahead of the West Ham match, the Spain international reflected: "Of course we are under pressure to win the title because Arsenal is a big club and expectations are always high.[LNB]"But the other challengers have spent huge amounts of money in recent years to build their squads and perhaps they are the ones who are under the most pressure because of this investment.[LNB]"Arsenal has a long-term vision for the future."[LNB]Fabregas added: "Nothing is ever impossible. We are not the favourites this season, but we truly believe we can we can fight for the championship.[LNB]"This team is maturing and growing in confidence all the time."[LNB][LNB] Barclays Premiership. Click here to bet.
