Arsene Wenger keen to erase memories of pain game

Manager Arsene Wenger hopes watching a painful rerun of Arsenal’s dismal home Champions League defeat by Monaco can quickly get the players back in form.

The Gunners have come under fire once again for failing to produce the required performance with an abject European display to lose the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, a result which leaves them on the brink of elimination ahead of the quarter-final stages once again.

Wenger maintains he is not immune to criticism, but is hurt more by the defeat than what the pundits have to say or anyone’s rants on social media.

However, the Frenchman intends to now focus on the challenges ahead, with the visit of Everton tomorrow the opportunity for an early response to cement their place in the top three of the Barclays Premier League.

“It is always hard (to watch the match again), it is hard to see that you make mistakes,” said Wenger, set to be without England midfielder Jack Wilshere, after a minor procedure to remove a stud in his ankle which was causing some discomfort.

“We are all human beings. We were born without any guarantee that we would not make mistakes.”

Wenger added: “What is difficult is switching my mindset from disappointment (of defeat) to Premier League.

“It is a very good opportunity for us to put things right again. Having watched the game again, we started quite well and the goal against us was a big blow.

“We were shocked that we were 1-0 down after we rushed our game.

“We lost our discipline and everybody became too individual, we were too impatient, then we lost our game a little bit.

Wenger feels there is plenty of life left in Arsenal’s season, having collected five wins from the last six league matches.

“I can talk a lot, but what is important now is to look forward — instead of worrying about yesterday I prefer to look towards tomorrow,” he said.

“We have seen big teams before have disappointments — Manchester United have gone out in big seasons and still won the Championship after. It is how you respond.”

“Which are the better teams? Liverpool has never finished above us (regularly) in the last 10 years, and Manchester City lost against us a few weeks ago.”

* Arsenal yesterday returned robust financial results, with turnover increased to £148.5 million (€) and an overall profit before tax of £11.1m (€).