Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger backed his “jaded” players to bounce back from Yesterday’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
The 2-1 loss to Jurgen Klopp’s men at the Emirates Stadium was Arsenal’s first in Group F, while it also ended the Premier League leaders’ 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
And while Wenger believes Arsenal can and will recover quickly from the setback, the Frenchman also lamented the goals conceded against their German side.
“Disappointment is part of how a team grows,” Wenger told reporters after the match.
“Some players are a bit jaded, it was a game of high intensity but very few chances. Dortmund were well organised to stop us playing but we put ourselves on the back foot for the first goal and were naive for the second.
“We started hesitantly and gave them confidence. Our fluent football was not quick enough.”
Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli are all level on six points and Wenger believes his side need to win one of their remaining two away games – in Germany and Italy – to be sure of qualification.
“The group is tight and difficult for us, but it is possible (to qualify). We need a result away from home,” he added.
Midfielder Mikel Arteta echoed Wenger’s sentiments, although he conceded the defeat makes progression much more difficult for the Gunners.
“It’s going to be tough now,” he said.
“This is probably the toughest group in the competition, but I think we are still capable of going through.”
Recent Comments