Wenger hails 'vital' victory
09 Nov 2008 - 08:40:54
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted the 2-1 victory over Manchester United was 'vital' to his side's chances of remaining in the Premier League title race.
Two goals from Samir Nasri secured three precious points for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium as Wenger's side provided a resounding response to the critics who wrote them off following last weekend's defeat at Stoke City.
Speaking about the criticism both he and his team received in the build-up to the game, he said: "I can take criticism. I am in a job where I have to accept that.
"There is only one answer to give and that is the quality on the football pitch.
"It was of course vital to win. Overall, it was a great football game with both teams really going for it.
"I knew today that was a big game for the future. We needed to keep in the race and know we can win big games.
"Man United are a great side and they created chances but didn't take them. We took our chances today."
Meanwhile, Wenger defended the attacking mentality of his players after they refused to sit back on their lead and allowed United to claw a late goal back.
"They scored very late and we had a nervy six minutes in the end," he continued.
"We continued to go forward. When you play football in a negative way you put yourself under pressure. We tried to score the third goal.
"When you are 19 or 20, you want to play. But overall, it was a great performance from my team."