The Gunners had fallen nine points off the title pace after back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea, writes Stewart Coggin.
But with Chelsea losing to Everton and United drawing at Aston Villa, the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday evening ensured they moved back into the title reckoning.
After a poor first-half, the match livened up, with Liverpool going close through Lucas and David Ngog. At the other end Tomas Rosicky’s touch let him down when through on goal, while he also saw an effort deflected over the bar. But it was the Czech international who crossed for Abou Diaby to head in the winner after 72 minutes.
very demanding
“It was a difficult game because we played against a very well organised Liverpool team, a very tight game, but in the end we turned it in our favour because we were resilient,” said Wenger.
“We had shown good togetherness and discipline and in the end we got that little goal that makes a massive result for us, because nobody realised what it is to play Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool on the trot. Mentally it is very demanding, especially with the two disappointments and it shows that the team is solid, mentally strong and determined.
“I think it was tactically a very high level game against a Liverpool team who didn’t give us any space to play and we found it difficult to get our passing going because they were always in our way.
“We needed to be patient and not to make a defensive mistake, they had one or two chances as well but in the end we got that goal, and when we have had the two results before, the most important thing is to win the game.”
Wenger believes Arsenal are in the title race, with the Gunners just six points behind leaders Chelsea with 12 matches to play.
“Let’s be consistent and try to win our next game,” he added. “I said after the Chelsea game we would fight until the last second of the season and we did that tonight.
“That’s what we want to continue to do, we believe in our chances and we have seen that Chelsea lost, Man Utd dropped points, and it is open to everybody.
“I don’t see any mathematical reason why we shouldn’t believe (in the title).”
three situations
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was disappointed to see his team’s recent good run halted at the Emirates Stadium, but maintained that they would keep going in the quest for fourth position and a place in the Champions League qualifiers.
“When you lose we have to be disappointed,” he said. “The game against Arsenal is always difficult, they have a lot of possession, it is not easy, but I felt we defended well, had some chances and we could maybe score, especially at the end in two or three situations where we were pushing.
“They were attacking and dangerous too, but when you lose after nine games without losing, you have to be disappointed when you lose against a good team.
“We have to think about the next game, the race for fourth position will go until the end.
“The main thing is to be calm, because until the end we will be fighting.”
“We had shown good togetherness and discipline and in the end we got that little goal that makes a massive result” – Arsene Wenger
Credits: PremierLeague.com
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