Arsenal 1 West Brom 0: Arsene Wenger admits title ‘frustration’
Arsenal 1 West Brom 0: Arsene Wenger admits his "frustration" at his side's failed title bid this season
Arsene Wenger admitted his “frustration” at Arsenal’s failed title bid this season after watching his side celebrate Champions League qualification with victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Giroud netted the only goal in the 14th minute at Emirates Stadium, when the French striker rose in front of marker Craig Dawson to head home Santi Cazorla’s corner.
We had injures – three or four players who missed too many games
Arsene Wenger
Arsenal, who were guaranteed a top-four finish after Everton’s defeat by Manchester City on Saturday, led the Premier League for much of the season but a dramatic dip in form in February and March proved costly in the race for the top-flight crown.
However, the Frenchman was delighted by his side’s “outstanding” mentality as they strung together a series of three straight wins to book their place in Europe’s elite club competition next term.
Wenger said: “I believe the mentality of the team was outstanding [in guiding Arsenal into a Champions League spot].
“We still have games in front of us. You can be pleased of the attitude, but frustrated because we were top of the league [for 128 days] then we dropped off.
“We had injures – three or four players who missed too many games. And in some games, at the start away from home, we were caught by surprise. We were perhaps too cautious and not confident enough. We paid a heavy price for it.”
Wenger’s Arsenal travel to Norwich City for their final league game of the season next weekend before their FA Cup final clash against Hull City.
