Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has resurrected the age-old excuse of
blaming his side's youth for poor results after losing 2-0 to
Chelsea on Sunday, just three days before the Gunners face a
resurgent Liverpool.
Wenger, whose only activity in the transfer window was to
re-sign 35-year-old Sol Campbell, said the average age of both
squads was a factor in the result.
He said Chelsea is "more experienced. They're 29. We're 23."
Before Arsenal lost 3-1 to Manchester United last week,
Wenger had called his team a "different animal," suggesting Arsenal
was now experienced enough to cope with big games in the title
race.
Arsenal, whose title campaign has been a roller-coaster ride
in recent months, has now dropped nine points behind Premier League
leader Chelsea.
Liverpool travels to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in fourth
place after beating Everton and closing the gap on Arsenal to five
points.
"I feel we're not in the best of positions," Wenger said of
the title race. "But we will not give up. It's a bit unfortunate in
the same period to play Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool on the
trot.
"If you lose one game it's very difficult (because of) the
psychological implications for the next game and I believe it's a
little bit of a disadvantage."
Liverpool, whose season appeared to implode early on, is back
on track for a top-four finish and is now chasing Arsenal for third
spot.
Wenger said it is imperative that Arsenal beats Liverpool on
Wednesday.
"It's vital, of course," he said. "It was vital today and we
lost."
Wenger criticized his team after the loss to United last
week, calling his players "naive" in an unusual public attack on
his players' performance. Wenger's tone was more mild Sunday and he
praised Arsenal's attitude and performance. But he was clearly
frustrated during the match, kicking his jacket, which was on the
ground, and yelling at Chelsea's managerial staff for what he
perceived to be the home team's time wasting.
Wenger said Arsenal dominated the game in terms of possession
and could have won the game, but that Chelsea's brand of football
disrupted the fluidity of the Gunners' attack.
"Chelsea won. You have to congratulate them," he said "We
didn't get a demonstration of football. But they were efficient. At
the end of the day, that's what made the difference."
