ARSENE WENGER ADMITS ARSENAL WERE NERVOUS

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger felt his side
showed signs of nervousness early on and
were unable to impose themselves on
the game.
He said: "It is disappointing to lose a
game the way we lost it.
"At the start of the game we didn't play
our game. We were nervous, insecure and
we gave them a little bit of comfort by
making a mistake at the first set-piece, or
the second.
"After that we lost too many balls and
rushed our game in the first half.
"In the second half when we played our
game we played in one half and they
counter-attacked a few times.
"We didn't find the opportunity to
equalise.
"We had the opportunities but we missed
always, by a few inches, to push the ball
into the net.
"They were well focused to defend and
catch us on the break and that happened
once or twice in the game.
"It is disappointing as we had the
opportunity at least to get a draw out of
this game."
The result prolonged Arsenal's poor
record against United at Old Trafford,
having not won at the ground since
September 2006.
Wenger felt that probably contributed to
his side's poor start.
When asked why his team were nervous,
Wenger said: "Maybe with the fact we
haven't won for a long time here and it
was a big game and, once again, it is a
tight game that has been decided on a
set-piece.
"That is what we will keep from this
game.
"We knew this could happen but after
that we had a go and gave everything
until the last minute. This team has a
great heart.
"I feel sorry for my players tonight."
Wenger felt referee Michael Oliver made
some wrong decisions but was unwilling
to elaborate.
He said: "I need to buy some Christmas
presents and these statements cost too
much money now."
He also did not want to blame the virus
which had affected a number of his
players in the past week and ruled out
Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky.
He said: "That can happen the whole
season, it doesn't mean you have to lose
a game.
"They declared themselves fit so they
play. When they play, they play. There is
no excuse. I felt physically we were all
right."