Wenger laments dropped points

Arsene Wenger
12 April 2012

Arsene Wenger accepted Arsenal had let an opportunity pass them by after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by 10-man Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners could have capitalised on Monday's dropped points from Chelsea to climb back into the Barclays Premier League top four with victory in a game put back by 24 hours because of industrial action by some London Underground staff on Boxing Day.

However, despite taking an early lead through Gervinho, Arsenal were pegged back before the break by Steven Fletcher's close-range header. "It was the kind of day where maybe we were not relaxed enough, maybe we wanted it so much, that we were a bit too in the 'wanting zone' and not enough in just the 'technical zone'," the Arsenal boss said.

The visitors then survived the second-half dismissal of midfielder Nenad Milijas by referee Stuart Attwell as inspired keeper Wayne Hennessey denied the home side time and again.

Wenger added: "There are going to be a lot of twists and turns. When you have the luck of the results yesterday (Monday) and you play today (Tuesday), you can take advantage of it, that is where the worrying thing is because in the season you have to take your opportunities."

"We just have to keep going and take the positives out of the game. It is frustrating, but I am more frustrated by the result than the performance and the spirit. You cannot fault the attitude or the commitment or the desire to win the game."

"Their 'keeper had the game of his life, Wolves fought like mad and well done to them. I don't know how many shots we had on goal and how many they had, but it was the kind of game that if you play it 20 times you win 19 and you draw one - and it was today, which we could not afford."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy had punched the air in delight at the final whistle - which came after six minutes of stoppage time during which Arsenal bombarded the visitors' penalty area.

"I am delighted and proud. It was a difficult place to come and play," he said.

"Wayne is a good goalkeeper, one of the best in the league, and he gets a bit to do playing behind us. We know we can rely on him and trust him. It is fantastic - and it was a great performance."

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