Arsene Wenger says Arsenal responded 'like a boxer' in beating AC Milan 2-0
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger likened his team to a boxer struggling to get up after a knockdown as they overcame their recent poor form to win 2-0 at AC Milan in the Europa League.
The Gunners' last-16 first-leg victory in the San Siro meant they avoided a run of five straight defeats, which they last experienced in 1977.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey scored the goals.
"It is an important win because we had a nightmare week," said Wenger.
The Gunners fell to a limp Premier League defeat at Brighton on Sunday, following back-to-back 3-0 losses against Manchester City - the first of which came in the League Cup final at Wembley.
They also lost 2-1 at home to Swedish minnows Ostersunds FK, surviving a second-leg scare to set up the tie against Milan.
Fans have continued to turn against Wenger, with 88% of the Arsenal Supporters' Trust's 1,000 members voting this week in favour of the 68-year-old Frenchman's contract being terminated at the end of the season.
It meant Arsenal arrived at the San Siro at arguably the lowest point of Wenger's 22-year reign, but produced an improved performance to inflict a first defeat in 13 games on the Italians.
"When you have big disappointments you forget quickly that you have some qualities. In one week, you do not become a bad team or a bad player. Nothing is permanent in life," said Wenger.
"When you are knocked down it's a little bit like in a boxing match when you're half-knocked down you don't have time to recover and the next one comes again. That's what happened to us.
"But at some stage you know you have to respond. Your pride and desire to show quality has to come through in the game."
Gunners legend Ian Wright accused Wenger's side of lacking "fight and determination" in their Carabao Cup final defeat by City, a suggestion dismissed by the Arsenal manager after the victory in the San Siro.
"People forget that to get to a cup final in England, you need mental resources and you need mental qualities," said Wenger.
"We lost against a team who are dominating English football at the moment. We have to accept that, it doesn't mean that the team has no spirit."
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The BT commentator couldn't hide his disappointment either. After Arsenal went 1-0 up he said "Imagine if Arsenal had conceded first!"
Unbelievable.
If you did would that satisfy the "Biggest Moaning supporters" in the country?
Sorry I used the wrong term as "SUPPORTERS" are people who support their team through thick and thin not this fair weather lot that continually complain against their team and manager no matter what they do.
Any 3 of 10 could still go down.
It amazes me when the " top clubs " deem a top 6 finish as a " crisis " and call for the head of their manager.
A manager who has been loyal to them, and brought them more success than most clubs in the division.
Try supporting Newcastle - it's a bumpy ride.
Well done last night Arsenal.
Arsenal fans are an ungrateful lot.
Better manager than Mourinho, Anchelotti & all these CV obsessed managers who go from super club to super club with huge budgets. If Wenger had wanted to do that he'd have 5 European Cups by now
Using an F1 analogy, he's been winning podiums for 22 years whilst driving a Vauxhall Cavalier
But even Moses's people got tired of him..must freshen it up.
Not supplementary when MUFC won it was it?
It was seen a a great success for United and Mourinho