Arsene Wenger was asked to reflect on what will be a crucial period of the season after a second-string Chelsea team dumped his Gunners out of the Capital One Cup 4th Round with acomfortable 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. Arsenal now heads into its next three games against Liverpool at home, Borussia Dortmund away and Manchester United away on the back of twoconsecutive home defeats. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s win, which came thanks to goals from Cesar Azpilicueta and Juan Mata, extended coach JoseMourinho’s all-time undefeated streak against Wenger to nine games.
When asked about the three crucial games coming up before the next international break, Wenger said: “It’s adifficult [run of games to come], but that’s part of the season. We know the games. We have to respond well against Liverpool. We are in a strong position in the league and have a good opportunity athome, and we have to turn this round. Away from home we are very solid, but at home you know it’s important and vital to win the big games.”
Asked whether the loss highlighted Arsenal’slack of depth, Wenger replied: “In football it’s always difficult to be definite. People go quickly to definite conclusions. After the first game [loss] against Aston Villa we were relegated. Today weare in a strong position in the league. Do not draw conclusions too quickly. We have [Theo] Walcott, [Lukas] Podolski and [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlainout, players who have a big impact offensively. If you put them in, it’s a completely different type of team. But it’s now about how we rid ourselves of these mistakes without losing the belief in ourqualities. That is what is at stake.”