Arsene Wenger struggles to offer 'rational explanation' for Arsenal mistakes in Swansea defeat

Arsene Wenger blamed Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to Swansea City on Tuesday on “unusual, massive mistakes” for which it was “very difficult to find a rational explanation.”

Arsenal were well beaten by a Swansea side that started the day at the bottom of the Premier League, despite going ahead in the first-half through Nacho Monreal. But the hosts equalised through Sam Clucas less than a minute later, a goal that Wenger described as the “turning point” of the game.

“We were absolutely guilty in giving the goal away,” Wenger said. “We have no rational explanation. Swansea won decisive duals offensively and defensively. On top of that we made unusual, massive mistakes. That was the killer.

“Swansea were sharp, disciplined and hungry. Unfortunately I believe we were not good enough, I believe we were not disciplined enough.

"I don't want to talk about second or third goals."

In trying to explain another limp defeat, Wenger seemed to echo David Moyes’s famous words from his time as Manchester United manager, when the now West Ham boss noted that his team could “improve in a number of areas, including passing, creating chances and defending.”

“We were not convincing defensively, not convincing offensively,” Wenger said, with some understatement. “In the end we lost the game.”

Swansea’s second goal came from a calamitous error by Petr Cech, after he miss-kicked a clearance straight to Jordan Ayew, who slotted into an empty net. But Wenger seemed more angry about the throw-in that lead to the error: Monreal had the ball deep in Arsenal territory on the left, but instead of passing forwards he elected to let it run out of play.

“There was no need to let the ball go out for the throw in,” said Wenger. “We you have a throw in for you, you’re 9 vs 10 on the pitch. Why put a handicap like that on you? We could attack straight away.”

Wenger offered no updates on the parallel transfer moves that could see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrive from Borussia Dortmund and Olivier Giroud leave for Chelsea, before the window closes on Wednesday. He declined to say he was confident that Aubameyang’s signing will be completed, because “these days deals are so complicated that you can’t be confident.”

Giroud, despite his imminent departure, was on the bench and came on for the last 15 minutes, receiving a hearty reception from the travelling fans.

“It’s a tribute to Olivier [’s professionalism],” said Wenger. “He gave great service to the club, never let us down on the commitment front. He saved us many times. Unfortunately he couldn’t help us [tonight]. We’ve gone through good and bad together.

“He’s an Arsenal man, but he needs to play as well. It’s a difficult situation for him, but always he was committed.”

open image in gallery

As downcast as Wenger was, Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal was buoyant. The Swans have gained ten points from a possible 15 under his stewardship, and this represented the first time this season they’ve won back-to-back games.

“When I arrived we were breathing like this,” said Carvalhal, miming a wheezing patient. “When we received some oxygen against Watford, we came alive. We are breathing. We are not dead anymore. We haven’t achieved anything so far, but we’re in a good position now. We have a lot of work to do.”

Carvalhal recently said that “20 out of 100” people might believe that Swansea could survive, so what number does he put that at now? “35 out of 100.”

He was asked about his own side’s transfer activity (Swansea are yet to sign a player this month), but deferred those questions for after the window closes. “Let me just enjoy the three points tonight,” he said.