Arsenal 2 Man City 2: Wenger unhappy with poor Gunners defending
Arsenal 2 Man City 2: Arsene Wenger admits his side were made to pay for bad defending after thrilling draw
Arsene Wenger criticised his Arsenal side for switching off to allow Martin Demichelis earn a point for Manchester City.
With the Gunners leading 2-1 at Emirates Stadium, the City defender headed home an equaliser seven minutes from time to settle a thrilling contest in north London.
It’s a result that’s frustrating because we were 2-1 up
Arsene Wenger
“The players know our routine and were prepared for it,” Wenger told BBC Sport. “You cannot let a guy have a free header in the middle of the box and think you can get away with it. We are extremely guilty of that.”
The Citizens went ahead in the 28th minute when Sergio Aguero tapped home Jesus Navas’ low cross from close range.
But Arsenal fought back and went level thanks to Jack Wilshere’s superb dinked finish over Joe Hart in the 63rd minute.
Summer signing Alexis Sanchez looked to have netted the winner with a brilliant shot into the top corner in the 74th minute.
However, City were not to be denied and Demichelis earned the visitors a point when his thumping header beat Wojciech Szczesny.
“I am frustrated because we conceded a goal on a corner,” Wenger continued. “Overall before that we looked like we could score a third goal; they had to come out and on the break we had good opportunities. Then, at 2-2, it looked like we could lose the game.
“In the first 80 minutes I think we showed top, top quality and great mental strength to come back from 1-0 down.
“In the end it’s a result that’s frustrating because we were 2-1 up. But I’m very happy with the quality of our performance.”
