TV GRILLING LEAVES WENGER ON ROPES

After Monday’s 3-0 loss at Crystal Palace, Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves (below) grilled Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger with 12 questions over three minutes, 19 seconds. Here are the highlights.

GEOFF SHREEVES: Arsene, was that a terrible performance and a terrible result for you tonight?

ARSENE WENGER: I felt that they won decisive duels. We created quite dangerous situations but defensively I think we were exposed many times. Offensively we couldn’t finish. I think the first half was quite level and then they came out in the second half stronger than us and we were a bit unfortunate I think on the second goal, and on the third goal it was a penalty that killed our game.

GS: Were you also unable to handle Christian Benteke? He seemed to cause you all sorts of problems.

AW: Yes he was up for it, he’s a handful for everybody when he’s like that.

GS: They were also winning all the second balls as well. Were they more committed? Was there more desire from Crystal Palace tonight?

AW: They were sharper than us in the duels and certainly in many decisive situations tonight, yes.

GS: That must be concerning. What do you put that down to?

AW: Look, it’s not the right moment to go in any... We have to analyse the game. I think we had a lot of the ball. We had a lot of possession. If they won all the second balls we would not have so much possession. I think we won many second balls as well, but they were in the decisive duels… They were stronger, yes. Especially Benteke.

GS: What did you say at half-time because it seemed to be more of the same the second half? AW: What we say in the dressing room remains in the dressing room. GS: But why do you think you were unable to change things? AW: I just told you. I thought they won more decisive duels than us.

GS: How damaging is this in terms of your quest for the top four?

AW: It’s damaging of course. That is what is most difficult for us. A difficult defeat but on top of that it has consequences on our chances to be in the top four. GS: Also when you hear the fans singing ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ they’re showing their deep unhappiness with the performance. What do you make of that? AW: You understand that our fans are very unhappy. They came here with hope that we win the game. GS: How worried are you by what you saw? AW: No, every defeat is a big worry. I’ve managed over 1,100 games for Arsenal and we are not used to losing like that. And of course it is a big worry.

GS: How concerned are you that this season is just petering out?

AW: Yes, unfortunately at the moment it is like that and we have to respond and not accept it.

GS: Do you think the situation regarding yourself has any effect on what’s happening? They looked rudderless tonight.

AW: Geoff, I don’t know. But I cannot go on forever after the game like that. I’m disappointed and determined to put things right. Tonight the worry is not me. It’s the fact we lost a big game, and when you lose a big game it’s a big worry. GS: OK. Lastly, is there any news on your situation? AW: No.