Wenger refusing to panic
27 Dec 2007 - 10:30:22
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remained calm after seeing his side lose top spot in the Premier League to Manchester United, by being held to a goalless draw at Portsmouth.
The Gunners trail the Red Devils by a single point, but Wenger is not too worried that his team are now not occupying the summit.
He said: "Although a 0-0 draw is a disappointment, it is not too bad. We have lost one game since the beginning of the championship, so you will have problems to convince me we are in crisis.
"If we go six months again by just losing none then we will be champions.
"The expectations are very high and when you do not get to the game you want to play, it is disappointing.
"If you ask me I would prefer to be in front, but with one point difference that is not that big a deal."
Meanwhile, Wenger added that he was disappointed by the defensive tactics adopted by Pompey during the stalemate at Fratton Park.
"Portsmouth didn't play at all in the second half," the Frenchman commented. "They didn't come out at all, they just defended.
"You cannot play like that every week. They conceded four goals last week at Liverpool and afterwards the team was just focused on defending.
"I am not disappointed with Harry Redknapp, because we faced a problem and had to find a solution no matter what."