Champions League: Arsene Wenger frustrated by last match defeat

Dec 12, 2013
Champions League: Arsene Wenger frustrated by last match defeat
Arsenal needed just one point at Napoli to make sure they finish top of Group F but they failed to clinch that draw, Napoli won 2-0 and the Gunners finished second behind Borussia Dortmund. Arsene Wenger admitted his frustration at his team not being able to finish the job in Italy. Finishing second makes a big difference as Arsenal could face one of Europe's giants in the last 16, such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger said: "That is the frustration, not winning the group, because you feel there was room to do better, but it could have been worse as well tonight. Of course, to finish second makes the potential draw more difficult. In the last four or five years, we have had very difficult draws, so maybe this time we will be more lucky. But if you look at the teams who are potentially there, at least we know we will have a difficult draw. On the other hand, we have now qualified for a 14th consecutive year and maybe number 14 will bring us a bit of luck." Gonzalo Higuain, who was a summer transfer target for Arsenal, scored the opening goal on 73 minutes to break the deadlock and then, after midfielder Mikel Arteta was shown a second yellow card, Napoli capitalized on the advantage as Jose Callejon settled the score during stoppage time. Wenger said: "I felt in the first half we controlled the game well, and, in the second half, Napoli were the better team. We prepared well and were concentrated, but we were a bit in between do we attack or do we defend, so it is difficult to cope with that problem. In the second half, I felt that our legs went a little bit and Napoli were sharper physically than us. They always looked dangerous and won the game 2-0. They deserved it and were always dangerous." Arsenal are not among the bookmakers' favourites to win the Champions League this season, they are 16/1 to win it at SkyBet while the top three favourites are as follows: Bayern Munich - 5/2 Barcelona - 9/2 Real Madrid - 11/2
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