Wenger says Giroud red card unlucky
Wenger's side started the European campaign with a poor display against Dinamo Zagreb and lost it 2-1. The sending off of their French forward Olivier Giroud in the first half did not help matters for the English club either.
Olivier Giroud had two good chances to put his team ahead in the first half before earning his second yellow, six minutes before half time. Arsenal were already trailing by one goal at the time and the sending off gave his team mates a tough time as they were chasing the game with 10 men.
Wenger made several changes to the first team but even though Arsenal started brightly, they never looked like playing to their capabilities. Zagreb scored their second soon after half time to extend their lead to two goals. Arsenal reduced the deficit with fifteen minutes left to go through Theo Walcott but it was too little, too late.
Olivier Giroud has not been in great form this season and has come under criticism for his displays for club and country. He was given another chance to prove his doubters wrong, but he did all the wrong things in the 39 minutes that he was on the pitch. Wenger was not too happy with the second yellow though.
When asked about the bookings, he said "I think on the first yellow card he was unlucky and on the second one it was an accident, he didn't do it on purpose and they got many times away with obvious fouls. But we have to take it on the chin and focus on the next game."
Arsenal now lie bottom of the group and their next game in the UCL is a home tie against Olympiacos which is a must win, game given the circumstances.
Giroud Shown Red Card As Gunners Lose |
Wenger made several changes to the first team but even though Arsenal started brightly, they never looked like playing to their capabilities. Zagreb scored their second soon after half time to extend their lead to two goals. Arsenal reduced the deficit with fifteen minutes left to go through Theo Walcott but it was too little, too late.
Olivier Giroud has not been in great form this season and has come under criticism for his displays for club and country. He was given another chance to prove his doubters wrong, but he did all the wrong things in the 39 minutes that he was on the pitch. Wenger was not too happy with the second yellow though.
When asked about the bookings, he said "I think on the first yellow card he was unlucky and on the second one it was an accident, he didn't do it on purpose and they got many times away with obvious fouls. But we have to take it on the chin and focus on the next game."
Arsenal now lie bottom of the group and their next game in the UCL is a home tie against Olympiacos which is a must win, game given the circumstances.