2Stoke, Liverpool, Watford, Manchester City

Stoke A Aug 19, 1-0

Key points: Hard to swallow, lack of focus, poor defence, react in next game.

“We are very frustrated because we lost a game that we should have won and that’s terrible to swallow.” Wenger

“We knew at half-time it was very important to keep our defensive focus in this kind of game, (then) we came out and didn’t defend properly. That’s where we are not forgivable today. At the end of the day I believe when you are not concentrating on the way you want to play, you pay for it at that level. 

“It is vital to not only see the negative side of it and to respond very quickly in the next game. But in the Premier League you do not get away with defending like we did on the goal. We have to realise as well, that if we want to transform the energy we put into the game as well like that, you have to defend properly, every single minute.” Wenger.

Liverpool A Aug 27, 4-0

Key points: Unable to understand why we were poor.

“I’m deeply disappointed because we were not at the level – not physically, nor mentally, nor in the fight. It’s very difficult to find reasons today for such a poor performance. It’s a long time that we haven’t had that and it’s very difficult to explain.

“I think we have to not go into the conclusions from today’s performance that the players are poor. The players are quality but today we had a poor performance. I think these players will come back in a different shape after the international break and hopefully we have not many injuries and then there is still the transfer market that we have to deal with until Thursday. 

“But we have to not panic as well, just today was a dramatic performance. I have not seen us for a long time like that.” Wenger.

 

Watford A Oct 14, 2-1

Key points: Unlucky, nervous, made mistakes.

“It’s unbelievably hard to take because we had the opportunity to win the game.” Wenger.

“I think we became nervous and we lost our composure when it was 1-1.” Wenger.

Manchester City A Nov, 5 3-1

Key points: Unlucky, difficult to swallow, disappointed.

“We were always in the game and I believe honestly we were really unlucky. City are strong enough not to need that [help] and it’s very difficult to swallow today. I’m very, very disappointed.” Wenger.