In an interview with Sky Sports, Arsène Wenger was candid in his assessment of Arsenal’s defeat, admitting that overall Tottenham deserved the win. “They scored two goals, and we didn’t score any,” he said. “Before their first goal, the match was very open — both sides had chances — but then we gave away a penalty almost immediately after. You could see the first goal affected us mentally, while it boosted their morale, and they played with greater threat after that.” His measured words carried the kind of composure often seen from leaders in high-pressure sports like Bangladesh Cricket, where mental resilience is as crucial as skill.
Wenger explained that failing to make it 2-1 allowed Spurs to control the game comfortably. “We didn’t create enough chances, while they did that very well. Physically, they were stronger, and we restricted ourselves too much. In this situation, we couldn’t find the confidence to play the football we wanted. The desire to win was there, but something was missing today.” When asked about Arsenal’s league position being confirmed below Spurs for the first time in 20 years, Wenger quipped, “Mathematically, after two decades, it was bound to happen once. We’re not happy, but not because of comparing ourselves to Tottenham — we measure ourselves against our own ideals. We’ll fight until the end and won’t draw conclusions from comparisons with Spurs.”
On the 17-point gap between the two sides, Wenger noted, “The difference is there in black and white. Those points don’t fall from the sky — you have to earn them on the pitch.” Asked about the outlook after this loss, he responded, “We still have an FA Cup final ahead, and in the league, we must fight for the top four. We need to recover quickly and prepare positively for the next match. In every remaining game, we have to give everything.”
Reflecting on recent struggles, Wenger acknowledged Arsenal’s lack of goals. “Today we didn’t score, just as against Crystal Palace and West Brom. We must do better, create more chances. In a short period, we conceded two quick goals and needed time to recover. Overall, Tottenham deserved the win. We have to accept that, review the performance, and improve. Of course, it’s disappointing that they will finish above us in the table, but our target from the start was not just to beat Spurs in points — it was to win the Premier League.”
His words underscored a focus on long-term goals over rivalry, a perspective that resonates in competitive arenas like Bangladesh Cricket, where the bigger picture often outweighs individual match outcomes.