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Wenger: We got what we deserved
THE wheels came off Arsenal’s unbeaten record yesterday after the Gunners lost their way on and off the pitch in Middlesbrough.
A shock 2-1 defeat completed a miserable day for Arsene Wenger, whose preparations were disrupted when the team bus got lost on the way to the Riverside.
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But Wenger made no excuses, praising Boro for a spirited performance that saw them take the lead through Stewart Downing’s fourth-minute penalty, double it through Tuncay and only find themselves pegged back by Tomas Rosicky deep in injury-time.[>
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We lost the game because we deserved to
“We lost the game because we deserved to,” said Wenger. “Middlesbrough were sharper in the fight. We were against a team who lacked confidence and we missed out at the start of the game by giving them too much space for the penalty.[>
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“It gave them a lot of courage. They defended well and it is more acceptable when you feel the other team deserved to win.[>
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“We gave everything to come back, but lacked creativity and sharpness in our passing and were not dangerous enough.”[>
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Wenger hopes to have Mathieu Flamini back for next weekend’s crunch clash with Chelsea and there is an outside hope Robin van Persie might also be in the squad. [>
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But the chances for Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas are less clear-cut, with Arsenal only one point clear of Manchester United. [>
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“The title race will be tight, so everybody should be delighted,” added Wenger.[>