Arsene Wenger points finger at two Arsenal players after Man Utd defeat | Football | Sport

Arsene Wenger has acknowledged that Arsenal can become overly dependent on corners and suggested that their centre-backs were too nervous during their defeat to Manchester United. The Red Devils pulled off a remarkable victory at the Emirates, just eight days after defeating Manchester City, as Michael Carrick’s impressive interim stint continued. The manager watched his team recover from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 before scoring a late winner to nick it 3-2.

It was Matheus Cunha’s long-range effort that ultimately settled a thrilling five-goal encounter, with Wenger praising Carrick after witnessing the former Middlesbrough manager oversee an effective transformation since his appointment. Speaking about his former club, the Frenchman indicated that their matches had been determined by “fighting on the corner” with the Gunners frequently relying on set-pieces – which proved beneficial for their second goal – whilst the Frenchman also observed a different aspect to their central defenders.

Wenger told BeIn Sports: “When you concede three goals at home it’s difficult to win. The goals scored on both sides illustrated a little bit the way the two teams played.

“The games of Man United they are well built up, good cohesion, and the games of Arsenal were more decided by power and fighting on the corner, for example with the second goal. The first goal, as well, was not clean play. They gave everything Arsenal but lacked a bit, as I said in the first half, the patience and technical cohesion.”

He continued: “I believe that Carrick has found a good formula that is a good balance between defensive stability and a good technical level. It’s the first time I felt the [Arsenal] centre-backs were a bit more nervous and less dominant than usually in the games.”

The victory has blown the title race wide open, with City’s triumph on Saturday leaving them just four points adrift. The same applies to third-placed Aston Villa, who secured victory at Newcastle on Sunday.

Arsenal have managed only two points from their last three matches, allowing the deficit to narrow considerably.

They still face Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad later this year and, as they attempt to break a sequence of three consecutive runners-up finishes, speculation is mounting about anxiety creeping in at the north London club, with serious questions being raised.

“They are still four points clear, but there are still questions about the mental strength of the team,” remarked former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira on Sky Sports.