Arsene Wenger: 'We weren't good enough'
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ByEurosport
Updated 07/01/2018 at 19:12 GMT
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his team were not good enough during their 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, but defended his team selection.
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger looks on from the stands during the English FA Cup third round football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 7, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Forest were triumphant at the City Ground thanks to a brace from Eric Lichaj and penalties from Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell whilst Arsenal's goals came from Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck.
Wenger named a squad without a recognised member of his regular match-day XIs from this season, with Alexi Iwobi and Danny Welbeck the players to really regularly appear in the first-team in the Premier League.
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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger looks on from the stands during the English FA Cup third round football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 7, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
However speaking after the game he expressed his frustration with the team's hectic schedule and insisted he felt he had named a strong enough team.
"We have many players on the edge and we play again on Wednesday. When you don't win the selection is always questioned. I believe we had an experienced team - eight or nine internationals. It would be easy to think that was the problem.
"When you're against a team like that they're very difficult to beat. Defensively you cannot afford the mistakes we made.
"We played a very good Forest team who were sharp and focused. The challenges were decisive. Overall our performance wasn't good enough."
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Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks dejected during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 7, 2018 in Nottingham, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Wenger, who had to watch from the stands, also spoke of his irritation at having to observe from the crowd.
"It was very frustrating and unfortunately it was a case on top of that of seeing the team lose."
When asked about Nottingham Forest's controversial second penalty Wenger said "I didn't see it. I've said what I have to say [on referees] I don't need to say any more."
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