Arsenal dominated proceedings in the opening 30 minutes and deservedly went a goal up via Olivier Giroud.
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Arsene Wenger’s men did grab the lead on the half-hour mark from another set piece as Mesut Ozil sent in a superb cross for Giroud and the striker lost his marker before heading home from close range. “I believe West Brom did fight with 100 per cent commitment as well and you have to give them credit for that”, he added.
Arsenal did have the chance to win a point from the game with a Santi Cazorla penalty – but he slipped and put the spot-kick over the bar. The hairdryer is probably an alien concept to Wenger but Arsenal were clearly fired up for the second half, with Ozil cracking a low shot against the post. “Our defending on that level was very, very poor”.
He described Arteta’s issue as a “calf problem” and Coquelin’s as “a bit more severe with a knee problem”.
Wenger had noted in the build-up to the match that Koscielny, in particular, had been deeply affected by the attacks, which included a number of explosions outside the Stade de France, where France were playing Germany in a friendly.
The loss of two important players comes as a major blow to an Arsenal side already without the likes of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky.
“For my part, I would not explain our defeat by that”.
The German global may not have scored too many goals this season, yet he is certainly living up to his reputation as an assist king and showing exactly why Arsenal spent so big on his services.
“It’s a great result”.
“I was pleased with the supporters and I want to thank the supporters as well for that last 10 minutes, quarter of an hour, for really pushing the lads forward”.
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Mourinho claimed Chelsea were completely dominant against Norwich, but he admitted that he became very nervous late on because his team had been unable to kill the game with the second goal their play deserved.
