Wenger haunted by defensive blunders

“This is not the first time it has happened. We did not defend well enough in the final third, and we paid a heavy price. It is a self-inflicted defeat.”

Manager Arsene Wenger believes his side must lay to rest their defensive “ghosts” before they can move forwards in 2015.

The Gunners begin the defence of their FA Cup crown at home to Hull on Sunday having started the new year with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Southampton, which left them in sixth and three points off the Champions League places.