Wayne Rooney is hugged by his teammates after his decisive 85th-minute strike sealed Manchester United’s 2-1 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium. Photo: EPA
A subdued and sombre Arsene Wenger was left to rue Arsenal’s lack of efficiency after his team lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United on Saturday in a game they dominated.
The hosts took advantage of a makeshift United defence to pour forward in the first half and only the excellence of visiting goalkeeper David de Gea prevented the London side from being well ahead at half-time.
We have not dominated many games against United like we did today but we were not efficient enough and made defensive mistakes ARSENE WENGER
But the lack of ruthlessness and the naivety which has plagued Arsenal in recent years cost them dear at the Emirates Stadium again as a second-half own goal by Kieran Gibbs and Wayne Rooney’s breakaway finish gave United the points.
“We have not dominated many games against United like we did today but we were not efficient enough and made defensive mistakes,” Wenger said.
“We had plenty of opportunities to win the game and we are very disappointed. We were a bit naive.”
Wenger’s misery was compounded by injuries to midfielder Jack Wilshere and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who were both forced off in the second half.
“Jack has an ankle injury,” Wenger said. “I don’t know how bad it is yet. Wojciech is not bad.”
As the home fans streamed out of the stadium straight after Rooney’s goal, isolated shouts of “Wenger out!” could be heard in the north London gloom, despite Olivier Giroud’s stoppage-time strike.
Having thrown away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Anderlecht in the Champions League, and conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 at Swansea City in their last league game, the Arsenal faithful are beginning to question Wenger’s methods once again.
They have slipped to eighth in the table, 15 points behind leaders Chelsea, and are already out of contention to win the title for the first time since 2004.
They host group D leaders Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday and Wenger needs a strong performance to lift morale.
“We have to be patient but there were a lot of positives today,” Wenger said quietly, his body language suggesting a manager under pressure after 18 years in charge of his club.
Wilfried Bony put Swansea ahead in the ninth minute, but Stevan Jovetic equalised for the home side 10 minutes later and Yaya Toure strode through to score the winner early in the second half.
“We played very well and had a lot of chances to score the third goal, and we defended well,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose side host Bayern Munich on Tuesday, knowing that even victory may not rescue their Champions League campaign.
Elsewhere, in-form Newcastle United climbed to fifth after Moussa Sissoko’s 78th-minute strike earned them a 1-0 win at home to Queens Park Rangers – their fifth consecutive victory.
West Ham United dropped out of the top four after losing 2-1 at Everton, with Leon Osman sliding in the winner on his 400th club appearance after Mauro Zarate had cancelled out Romelu Lukaku’s opener.
Burnley climbed off the foot of the table after Danny Ings scored twice in two first-half minutes to earn the promoted club a 2-1 win at Stoke City, who replied through Jon Walters.
Burnley are now level on points with fourth-from-bottom Leicester City, who drew 0-0 at home to Sunderland.
