His manner was calm as you’d expect, but there was something that had clearly irked Arsene Wenger as he entered the post match press conference at Chelsea. Wenger has always backed his players and despite suffering their sixth Premiership loss, he insisted that Arsenal were still in the title race. Naturally the 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge was hurting Wenger, the players and the fans, but here was a man who had seen things that had annoyed him further. Immaculately suited as normal, Wenger began his post match press conference, speaking of his disappointment of the result, and of the Gunners’ almost lifeless title aspirations. He referred to Chelsea’s game plan, and then he hit out at the Blues’ antics in certain incidents in the game.

Chelsea 2 v Arsenal 0

As meticulous as his preparations would have been for the game at Stamford Bridge, Arsene Wenger would have sat through the video of last Sunday’s loss to Manchester United, furiously making notes to ensure he stressed to his players, the need not to lose possession high up the pitch and then get hit on the counter attack. Wayne Rooney did precisely that a week ago, and seven days on, for Rooney, read Didier Drogba. The scourge of Gunners present was at his brutal best to stun the Gunners with a brace inside the first twenty-three minutes.

Not usually one for pointing to inadequacies in his players performance, but Arsene Wenger nevertheless was forced to accept the basic truth after Sunday’s 3-1 humbling by Manchester United at The Emirates Stadium, in which he questioned his sides’ game both side both“ offensively and defensively.” Wenger saw his players denied time and space against a well drilled United side. Wayne Rooney was always on Wenger’s radar, but the display from Nani must have even surprised Sir Alex Ferguson. After seeing his side despatch the Gunners by the same scoreline in last season’s Champions League semi-final, Ferguson stated that Arsenal would be title challengers this season, and pointed to the injuries to key personal, notably Robin Van Persie.

It was a devastating loss and one that had the usually protective Arsene Wenger scathing of his players. Having seen Manchester United produce almost a carbon copy of last season’s Champions League semi-final with the 3-1 scoreline, Wenger admitted that United were “ better than us, ” all over the pitch. As the events unfolded at The Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Wenger sat in disbelief as the pace and power of a Rooney inspired United, and a midfield that never allowed Cesc Fabregas any time or space, and confirmed that Arsenal were “ naive,” with the loss a “ massive blow,” to his side’s now diminishing title hopes.

Arsenal go into their crucial clash at Villa Park on Wednesday evening, confident of getting a result, and with a stronger side available than the one the one that succumbed to Stoke in the fourth round FA Cup loss three days ago. The Gunners will be boosted by the welcome news that Nicklas Bendtner is back from his three months out due to a hernia operation and groin trouble, and looks set for a place on the substitute’s bench. Bacary Sagna is still affected by a shoulder complaint, but Arsene Wenger believes his first choice right-back will nevertheless start against Aston Villa.   

                              

 

                               Bendtner's return set to boost the Gunners' fire power