Arsene Wenger has claimed that Arsenal did not deserve to lose 2-1 to Watford.
Arsenal were woeful throughout a first half in which only two fine saves from Petr Cech kept Watford down to two early goals as the Gunners struggled in attack and defence.
The hosts briefly rallied in the opening minutes of the second half, Alex Iwobi converting Alexis Sanchez’s cross just before the hour, but were unable to continue their recent run of late goals, Lucas Perez going closest when his volley cannoned back off the crossbar.
Wenger insisted his side had been harshly punished with the first goal, when Andre Marriner penalised Shkodran Mustafi for what seemed a 50:50 challenge. Arsenal were made to pay, Younes Kaboul’s powerful free-kick deflecting off Aaron Ramsey and beyond Petr Cech.
“It was not good in the first half,” Wenger said. “Especially in the first 20 minutes. We were beaten in the duels. They were sharper than us.
“On top of that, I felt we were a bit unlucky with the free-kick – deflected ball on top of that. After that, we responded.
“Overall I believe that we didn’t start the way we wanted and in the second half it was all us and we are unlucky, let’s be fair, because we did not deserve to lose this game.”
For the second of his four game touchline ban Arsene Wenger was watching on from stands, though he doubtless enjoyed Tuesday’s game far less than the 5-0 rout of Southampton he watched at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Assistant manager Steve Bould was far busier on the touchline on Tuesday, with Arsenal forced to make an early change to midfield when Aaron Ramsey came off with a calf strain, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain taking his place. Theo Walcott was also deployed early in the game, replacing Olivier Giroud at half-time.
However Wenger insisted that he would not make use of the “easy excuse” of a touchline ban to explain a crucial defeat that leaves Arsenal eight points off Chelsea ahead of Saturday’s meeting at Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t know. It’s very difficult to know,” Wenger said. “It would be a very easy excuse [to blame my ban]. We prepared the game well.
“We were warned that Watford would come and make it very physical. I have no basic regret in the way we prepared the game.
“Did we think subconsciously that we’ll turn up and it’ll work, I don’t know? From the stand, I agree with you. Our first half was not at the level we wanted.”
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