Wenger looks to the future

Wednesday 17th April 2013 7:40

Jack Wilshere: Clashes with Kevin Mirallas

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger challenged his side to quickly get over their bruising Barclays Premier League goalless draw with Everton.

The Gunners missed the chance to put daylight between themselves, Tottenham and Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification after the Toffees utilised all their physical qualities to keep alive slim hopes of gate-crashing the top four.
As well as several hefty challenges from the visitors - with midfielder Darron Gibson fortunate not to be sent off for twice pole-axing Theo Walcott in the first half - television pictures showed England international Jack Wilshere, just back from a six-week injury lay-off, involved in a bust-up with Everton's Kevin Mirallas as the players walked off at the break, when he reacted angrily after appearing to be squirted with a water bottle - an incident which could yet be reviewed by the Football Association.
Despite the obvious frustrations, Wenger maintains his side still have what it takes to finish the campaign on a positive as they regroup for Saturday's trip to Fulham.
Arsenal's best chances fell to Olivier Giroud, but the France striker failed to test Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and the hosts had to be content with a point which sees them move two clear of their London rivals below them, but having played more matches.
"We are on a very strong run with a fantastic run so we do not want to complain too much about what didn't go for us," Wenger said.
"Let's look at ourselves, come back in the next game and win it. This still keeps us in a strong position in the race for the top four.
"We had the chances to score, and that's my regret. Maybe we used power instead of technique too much in our finishing.
"My belief was always strong and still is. I am confident we will do it. The best way is to put the same effort into the next game."
Wenger felt there was little in the half-time spat, which was quickly calmed down. The Arsenal manager said: "I don't know about it, but if it was (on television), then very soon everybody will know about it - and I will know about it as well. It was all right in the dressing room."
The Gunners boss, though, felt referee Neil Swarbrick could have taken a stronger line.
Wenger said: "I felt that in the first half the referee didn't deal at all well with the intimidating physical challenges, but that we responded well to the physicality.
"It was detrimental to the fluency of our game, but we kept going, had good concentration."
Wenger added: "But that is part of the game. We had to deal with that.
"You have to respect the effort Everton put in. They decided to make it very physical for us to disturb our game and sometimes went a little bit over the edge, but the referee had to make the right decision.
"I don't blame Everton for that. 'Protecting' is a big word, but they (referees) have to make the right decisions." ------------------- TEAMtalk.com