Arsene Wenger watched his side do their best to self-destruct against Leicester on Tuesday night.

Dodging a few scares, the Gunners cruised into a two goal lead before half-time and there was a cricket score waiting for them if they’d decided to go for it.

Instead, they decided to get nervous and let Leicester unsettle them and treated us all to yet another Arsenal-induced anxiety attack as we wondered if they’d be able to hold on and if Leicester could possibly continue to be so utterly terrible in front of goal.

Speaking to the media after the game, the boss admitted the role that Saturday’s defeat to that lot had played in the way his team trailed off in the second half on Tuesday night while offering praise for the visitors who showed the sort of fighting spirit they will need to show every week if they are to stay up.

They could probably also do with Mike Jones refereeing all their games from now on, even if they have lost all four that he has taken charge of this season.

Wenger said

“Yes [it was close], towards the end but it is always like that when it’s 2-1.

“I feel that we were in control for the first half but when we were in control they had one or two good chances on the counter-attack. In the second half we lost our cohesion, our technical superiority and Leicester was always dangerous going forward.

“They are very quick in transition from defence into attack. At 2-1 we became a bit nervous but overall what was important for us was to get the three points.

“Yes [the north London derby] it was a bit in their head, especially in the second half in the legs. Tottenham lost in the last minute as well. It was a very intense game on Saturday and three days later, it’s not easy.”

He also refused to criticise Jones who had a terrible game in the middle as we predicted.

Wenger added

“I didn’t agree with all the decisions but I don’t think it was a violent game. It was a fair game. Leicester fight not to go down and when you see the way they play football, you are surprised they’re bottom of the league and they want to get rid of their manager.

“If they keep quiet, don’t panic and stick together they will get out of that.

“For me they are one of the better sides we have played at the bottom of the league.”

arsenal get lucky v leicester