It was a shocking defeat – Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger labelled his side “careless” and praised Hull City for their shock 2-1 Premier League victory at the Emirates.
Cesc Fabregas put the Gunners ahead in the second half before Geovanni and Daniel Cousin netted for the Tigers.
“It is a shocking defeat for us and overall our commitment was just not good enough,” admitted Wenger.
“Human beings are not machines. Perhaps subconsciously we thought we would make it. They deserve credit.”
Phil Brown’s side now sit sixth with three wins in their maiden Premier League campaign, having already won more points than Derby did last season.
 |
It’s one of my greatest results
Hull manager Phil Brown
|
Wenger conceded that a failure to take chances cost Arsenal, who now have to prepare for the visit of Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“We cannot be happy as we were ahead but after I think we were careless and we were punished for it,” said Wenger, who marked 12 years in charge of the Gunners.
“We expect three points in every game but we have a good opportunity on Tuesday to show we have the strength to respond.
“I think we had 15 chances and scored a scrappy goal, they had nearly nothing and they scored two goals. We were not mature enough to kill the game off.
“But this kind of game exists in football when your focus is not high enough and your opponent is committed and gives absolutely everything.”
|
606: DEBATE
In Arsene We Trust
|
The Arsenal boss fielded a team with average age of 19 during their 6-0 Carling Cup demolition of Sheffield United on Tuesday, but Wenger questioned the focus of the players selected for Saturday’s game.
“What you have done three days before doesn’t count,” said Wenger.
“When you’re a top-level sportsman you are only judged on your performance of the day, and today we weren’t good enough.
“We now know that if our attitude isn’t right, we can lose games.”
While Wenger counted the cost of Arsenal’s defeat his managerial counterpart Brown savoured one of the remarkable days in Hull’s history and his own career.
“It’s one of my greatest results – Wembley and Newcastle were great but we’re proving people wrong all the time,” he said.
Brown proud of his players
“We’ve got the same number of points as Derby achieved in all of last season with 32 games left so it’s a fantastic day.”
Despite the result, the former Derby boss revealed he had ticked off his side at half time.
“I was disappointed with our display in the first half when we came off at 0-0 because I wanted to win,” said Brown.
“To say I was harsh in my criticism would be an understatement.
Brown added: “But we picked a team to come here and cause them problems.
“We have a drive, an endeavour and a belief that we can come to places and get a result.”
