Arsenal Boss fires warning amid Spurs and Chelsea battle

Arsenal Boss fires warning amid Spurs and Chelsea battle

Posted: Apr 29, 2013

Arsene Wenger warned his players they cannot drop any more points in their quest for Champions League qualification after Robin van Persie returned to the Emirates stadium to break Arsenal hearts amid a constant chorus of boos.

Van Persie scored from the penalty spot to equalise a second-minute strike from Theo Walcott as Manchester United held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw.

With Chelsea beating Swansea it saw the Gunners drop to fourth spot with just three matches remaining.
Arsenal had given champions United a guard of honour on to the Emirates pitch but Van Persie was booed throughout by fans who cheered him during eight years at Arsenal.

Wenger put the hostile reception down to “disappointed love”.

“When he was here he didn’t get this kind of reception,” said Wenger. “They loved him, so today it was a bit disappointed love.

“He took his penalty very well and I knew when he decided to take the penalty that there was an 80% chance that he would score because he was our penalty taker and I know well that he does that very well. He does many things very well.”

On the Champions League consequences, Wenger added: “If we win our other games it will be enough. I am convinced we will be there (in the top four) but there is no room for dropping points. But the other teams are in the same position.”

Van Persie refused to celebrate converting the spot kick and Wenger revealed his former striker spent some time in the Arsenal dressing room after the match, joking: “Our food is better in our dressing room than their dressing room”.

The Arsenal boss also believed the penalty, given when fullback Bacary Sagna brought down Van Persie in the penalty area, was crucial in shaping the course of the game.

Wenger said: “That equaliser played a big part in the game. It put us in a difficult position but overall I can only praise the players for the effort and dynamic and desire we put in. Let’s keep it going like that and we’ll have a chance to be where we want to be.”

Opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, saluted Van Persie for staying cool as Arsenal fans tried to unsettle him with volleys of boos.

“He kept his nerve, that was important,” said Ferguson. “It was a difficult time for him, the chanting from the fans does not help, but he kept his cool.”

Arsenal had taken the lead in the second minute when Walcott was set free by Tomas Rosicky and planted his shot past goalkeeper David De Gea.

Wenger added: “It was a quality game with a lot of intensity. I can only praise the players for the effort, the dynamic and the desire we put in. Let’s keep it going like that.”

Speculation has linked Wenger with a move to Paris St Germain, but asked whether he would still be at Arsenal next season he replied: “I have always respected my contract. I’m focused on the next game and I’m already preparing for the next season.” --------------------- Complete Sports