Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Wenger hails youngster’s ‘character’ in Belgrade
ARSENE Wenger praised the character of his inexperienced players in a hostile environment at Red Star Belgrade as they took a step towards the Europa League last 32.
Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game with a stunning overhead kick moments after the hosts had been reduced to 10 men.
The 1-0 win keeps up Arsenal’s perfect start to Group H as a spirited Red Star team hit the post in the first half and tested Petr Cech on a number of occasions before having Milan Rodic sent off in the closing stages.
Wenger saw the attitude of his squad questioned by Watford captain Troy Deeney following the Hornets’ 2-1 Premier League win on Saturday.
The Frenchman has defended the players since then and Wenger hailed his much-changed team for performing in the intimidating atmosphere of the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
“I agree with you not only in their performance but they showed character as well,” he said when asked if his young players had performed well.
“It is not easy to express yourself at 18 years. To play in such a heated atmosphere shows how much resilience to stress the players have.
“I believe it was a very difficult game with high intensity in a very heated and supportive atmosphere for the local team and we kept going and trying to win the game.
“We played against a good Red Star team who were always dangerous on the counter-attack. Petr Cech made some good saves and, in the end, we got a win that gives credit to the mentality of the team.”