My stars will learn from pain game, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal will learn from the “pain” of another disappointing home draw, after today’s Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle ended 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Kieron Dyer had netted a cool finish following a quick counter-attack after 30 minutes to put the Magpies in front at half-time.

Arsenal skipper Thierry Henry came on at half-time, having started on the bench, and smashed in a free-kick to level on 70 minutes.

Although the Gunners dominated from then on, they could not find a winner, faced by a determined defensive display and inspired Newcastle keeper Shay Given, just back from injury.

The result saw Arsenal lose further ground on leaders Manchester United and Chelsea, who play each other next week and on whom the Gunners have a game in hand.

Wenger declared: “We just make it difficult for ourselves.

“They have to learn very quickly. We have to be patient and not make a mistake defensively

“Not winning is painful and from the pain, they will learn.

“It is a shame because the team gave everything and they did fight to last second.”

The Arsenal manager added: “I feel there is a lot of potential in this team, and that it will come out because they have a good spirit and a good mentality.

“They want to do well, but have to learn some important ingredients in the game that make the team successful at the top level – and at the moment we cannot master that.”

Today’s match followed a familiar pattern, with Arsenal opening strongly but unable to convert their chances before the Magpies went ahead.

“It was a bit of a repetition of what we have seen until now,” the Arsenal boss said.

“It is very frustrating to come out dropping two points, but out of seven games we have been now 1-0 down four times, and you cannot afford that.

“You cannot drop as many points as we do at home.

“We have shown until now we can win the big games, but you also have to win at home against the teams who will not fight for the championship.

“There have been a few times now that we did not – and that gives hope to the teams who come here.”

Wenger had left Henry on the bench, the French striker rested following his international exploits after playing 90 minutes in midweek.

The Arsenal manager insisted: “He was tired from the France game, and that was my decision.

“You cannot play Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday – it is impossible for one man.”

Wenger added: “I do not speak with the French manager at all. If he gets injured [Henry], you will not ask me why he does not play.”

Robin van Persie was taken off at half-time, following an injury to his ankle.

Wenger admitted the Dutch forward would probably not return for the Champions League clash with Hamburg on Tuesday night.

“His foot does not look good, and we will have to wait to see the X-ray,” said Wenger.

“He looks that he will be out for Tuesday night.”

For Newcastle, it was probably just rewards for a resolute defensive display - albeit one which relied too heavily on Given and some fortunate deflections.

With his side now out of the bottom three, Glenn Roeder had plenty to be positive about.

“I am very proud of them,” he said.

“They had a lot of possession, which was to be expected – after they took Liverpool apart last week, you could hardly expect us to come here and have the lion’s share of the play.

“The boys defended very well, put themselves in the way of the ball and we scored a classic breakaway goal.

“Fingers crossed now for Kieron that this is the start of a long successful run without injury in the team.”

Roeder added: “We have shown today we are more than capable of pulling away from the bottom three over the coming months.”

Given had been out for several weeks with an abdominal injury, but showed few ill effects today.

“Shay made the sort of saves we have all seen down the years,” said Roeder.

“He was an inspiration for all the guys in front of him.”

On Newcastle’s plight, Roeder reflected: “I never get carried away and never get so down that I cannot do my job – and that is the best character to have.”