Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Wenger looks to positives

30 Aug 2009 - 10:40:12

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Arsene Wenger remains convinced that his Arsenal side has the spirit to bounce back from what he described as a 'frustrating' 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.

The Frenchman was sent to the stands in stoppage time after Robin van Persie's late effort was ruled out for offside to cap a miserable evening for the Gunners.

Andrey Arshavin had given the visitors a first-half lead, but Arsenal had appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Mike Dean when the Russian appeared to be upended by Darren Fletcher.

United equalised with a penalty of their own when Wayne Rooney tumbled under Manuel Almunia's challenge before Abou Diaby inexplicably headed the ball into his own net.

Wenger chose his words carefully after the match, saying: "I was sent off because I kicked a bottle when the goal was cancelled from an offside position. I didn't know we were not allowed not to do that.

"We go home with no points and that is very frustrating. When you play like that to go home with no points is very difficult to accept.

"You know what you get at Old Trafford when you come - every time - but I don't want to go into the performance of the ref. If you have any questions you shouldn't ask them to me.

"I've seen a player make 20 fouls and there was no yellow card. Nobody sees it. If you've seen the game you don't need me (to tell you). How this player got away without a yellow card is quite amazing.

"But I'm very positive because we showed great quality. Our performance is very encouraging for the future and there are more positives than negatives from today's game."