Wenger: No Regrets Over Lack Of Midfield Chief
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes a defensive midfielder signed in the summer would have made little difference to the majority of the goals shipped so far this season.
The manner in which Arsenal have begun this season is a stark contrast to how they started the last campaign. They are nine points off the pace, and have already lost four times. This time last season they had accumulated ten points more than their current 23-point haul.
Over the course of the summer the Gunners lost Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer to AC Milan and Gilberto to Panathinaikos.
Yet Wenger only brought in little known Frenchman Francis Coquelin as a direct replacement, despite reportedly frantically courting a partner for Francesc Fabregas as the transfer window drew to a close.
After their most recent loss to Aston Villa at home, by two goals to nil, Wenger hit out at claims a disciplined anchoring midfielder would have made the difference.
"We had no player we really wanted and for now we have no regrets," the Arsenal boss is alleged to have said.
"You cannot explain Gael Clichy’s own goal here by the fact we haven’t an experienced player in midfield. We were not, as a team, sharp enough to dictate the pace and be dominant in the fight."