As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Wenger admits disappointment as Arsenal blown three-goal lead

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has criticised his side's lack of concentration after they squandered a three-goal lead to be held to a 3-3 draw by Anderlecht on Tuesday night.

The Gunners found themselves in a very strong position when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain slotted home in the 58th minute to add to Mikel Arteta's 25th-minute penalty and Alexis Sanchez's stunning volley just before the half-hour mark.

However, Anthony Vanden Borre scored twice in 12 minutes to give the Belgian side hope before Aleksandar Mitrovic headed past Wojciech Szczesny in the 90th minute to five the visitors a share of the points prompting the following words from Wenger.

"The end result is very disappointing," he told reporters.

"We had bad luck because the first goal is offside, we had bad concentration because we thought the job was done, we had fatigue and didn't win the challenges any more.

"I think overall we were poor defensively from the first to last minute. When they came back to 3-2, you want to secure yourself the game and we were maybe not cautious enough and went for number four.

"I wasn't ever completely sure we weren't in danger because the whole game we didn't defend well. You have to be realistic as well - they are a good side."

Arsenal were denied the chance to book their spot in the Champions League Round of 16 with the draw placing them on seven points, five behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, and five clear of Anderlecht with two fixtures remaining.

 For breaking stories and all the great banter like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tribalfootball

Video of the day:

Andrew Slevison
About the author

Andrew Slevison

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free