Tuesday 12 May 2015 08:37, UK
Arsene Wenger was left frustrated as Arsenal’s bid for their highest Premier League finish for 10 years was dented by Swansea’s late victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal dominated proceedings in the second half but found former goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski too good as Bafitembi Gomis’ late header handed Garry Monk’s side all three points.
And despite his frustrations, Wenger believes his side can take plenty of positives into Sunday’s clash against Manchester United despite their first defeat in 10 league matches.
“It’s frustrating because we lost a game where we were not under any threat to concede,” he told Sky Sports.
“It was a question of finishing better, being patient and not to make a mistake at the back. We are a bit unlucky on the goal but guilty as well.
“Overall it’s frustrating but there are a lot of positives in tonight’s game. Unfortunately, this type of game you play 20 times you win it 19 and lose once. Tonight was that one.
And when asked what those positives were, he added: “The rhythm, our domination and the quality of our game was in patches top quality.
“You have to learn from defeat but as well I believe you have to take encouragement from a defeat like that. Now let’s recover and prepare well for our next game.
“The players are disappointed but we want to be firing on all cylinders again on Sunday. It’s an important game.”
Fabianski produced a brilliant display on his first return to the Emirates, denying Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott late on.
But Wenger insists his side’s finishing was more to blame than Fabianski’s performance.
“You cannot fault any individual player,” he added. “Offensively, in the finishing we were not calm enough and wanted to rush and force it sometimes rather than use technique.
“Fabianski had a great performance but that’s sometimes the case. I felt our finishing made it a bit easy for him.”
