Wenger hails team spirit
burnley — Arsene Wenger heralded Arsenal’s strength of character after his side recorded a dramatic 1-0 victory at Burnley without Mesut Ozil.
After a morale-boosting local derby win over Tottenham a week earlier, Wenger was looking for Arsenal to build on that victory and improve on a record of just four points away from home this season.
The fact that the Gunners did so without German playmaker Ozil and against a Burnley team that started the day level on points with them in the Premier League table made the day especially rewarding for Wenger.
“For us, after the win against Tottenham, it was important to go away from home and play a different game and win it,” said Wenger, whose side are up to fourth place.
“And that’s what we did. For the benefit of the team it’s very important. They showed great character because we kept a clean sheet and they were really up for it, Burnley.
“We won 1-0 but congratulate
We won 1-0 but congratulate our three centre-backs because they did a remarkable job Arsene Wenger
our three centre-backs because they did a remarkable job.”
Ozil was ruled out of the game on the morning of the match with illness and will now be assessed before Arsenal’s next game against Huddersfield on Wednesday. “The doctor came to see me and said Mesut had to travel back,” said Wenger.
“He was in the hotel with us, but then travelled back.
“There were traffic problems getting here so we arrived at 1pm and there was only 17 of us. How bad is he, will he be available for Wednesday? We’ll see what it is.”
Alexis Sanchez won the game with an injury-time penalty, awarded after a push by James Tarkowski on Aaron Ramsey, and, despite complaints from Burnley players and supporters, Wenger was adamant that referee Lee Mason made the correct call. —