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Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss blames lack of experience for defeat

Chambers was half of a new Arsenal central defensive pairing with 20-year-old Rob Holding, as Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker were injured and France’s Laurent Koscielny was rested. We showed them too much respect first half.

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If there had been an expensive centre back and striker on the pitch then at least us Gooners could accept that Wenger was trying to address our weaknesses. “You are in a catch 22 situation with the Euros”, Wenger told reporters.

“We pushed players like Ramsey and he got injured again”, said Wenger. We came out the traps flying, got the second, third and fourth and then let them come back in it.

Arsenal’s next game is at defending champions Leicester City next Saturday.

The most spectacular thing about the opening 30 minutes was the summer sunshine – neither side enjoying a great start. We have to be ready next week because we go to Leicester. They were having a lot of joy down the right, with Moreno failing to recover from his minutes of madness, and Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez were causing chaos on the edge of the area.

Asked how long Ramsey was likely to be out for, Wenger replied: “I don’t know yet”.

“But we are not stupid”.

“We prepare the players we have in well but as well, you have to consider that we have been a bit unlucky. You have to accept sometimes that you can not control absolutely everything even if you try to be as intelligent as possible”.

While the makeshift defence conceded four goals, the decision to play Euro 2016 semi-finalist Aaron Ramsey also backfired, as the Wales midfielder was substituted early with a hamstring injury.

Both players will undergo tests on Monday. “It’s always hard winning in London against Arsenal”.

Arsenal lost 3-4 to Liverpool at the Emirates in the season opener, and were tailing at 1-4 at one point.

Philippe Coutinho scored twice either side of Lallana’s fine goal, while debutant Sadio Mane’s superb individual effort threatened to embarrass the hosts.

Coutinho drilled home his second goal of the day from point-blank range after Liverpool finished a lesson in passing football with Nathaniel Clyne sending a powerful low ball across the face of the Arsenal goal.

“It s a little bit like our behaviour after 4-1, or my behaviour”, said the German.

Just 69 seconds later, Walcott got a golden opportunity to score off a turnover and made sure his shot wouldn’t be stopped the second time around.

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