Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's 3-3 draw with Bournemouth is 'two points dropped'
Wednesday 4 January 2017 09:54, UK
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's thrilling 3-3 draw at Bournemouth is "two points dropped" in the Premier League title race.
Wenger's side fought back from 3-0 down with 20 minutes remaining to secure a dramatic point, leaving them eight points behind leaders Chelsea, who play Tottenham on Wednesday.
Goals from Alexis Sanchez, Lucas Perez and Olivier Giroud secured the point, with Arsenal seemingly down and out.
"We had some players at half-time who had problems," said Wenger. "I changed it very early in the second half, and I think they refused to lose the game. There is a great resilience in the team and they showed it again today.
"In terms of our ambitions we dropped two points, but we have to do better in the other games and hope that the other teams who come here will drop points, too.
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"Look, you just told me that Bournemouth played very well, so I think it was not a result we wished before the game, but at 3-0 down you would have signed for 3-3.
"I think as well we were not really lucky in some positions tonight."
Wenger added that Bournemouth's recovery time between their last game gave them an advantage.
Bournemouth had an extra 24 hours to recover following their New Year's Eve win at Swansea, while Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on New Year's Day at the Emirates.
Wenger added: "They deserve a lot of credit but I think the disadvantage is too big to play a game against a team with over three-and-a-half days recovery.
"We played Sunday, late afternoon; it's too big a handicap from the start.
"They are a good team, they have quality, they made many runs behind our defenders, and looked always dangerous, committed, and that's why the game was difficult.
"It was a physical test, it was very difficult for us to get out of the blocks. They started quicker, faster, and after that I think with 20 minutes to go with 3-0 down, it was as well a mental test. I think we refused to lose the game and gave absolutely everything.
"Apart from the first 20 minutes I think we were always in the game, and in the end it's a draw."
