Published: 25 October, 2012
IN THE GROVE with STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger says his players must focus all their energy into closing the gap at the top of the Premier League following Saturday’s shock defeat away at Norwich.

The 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road saw the Gunners lose ground on early-season pacesetters Chelsea, leaving them 10 points behind their London rivals.

Wenger insists his side must respond immediately if they are to make up the gap.

“At the moment I agree that 10 points is a lot,” the manager said. “But we just have to focus on getting closer now.

“For us, it’s not only the number of points, it is that the margin of error we have in front of us is very limited.

“With a result like the defeat to Norwich we have put huge pressure on our shoulders.

“It came at a period where we absolutely needed to win that game. What is very important now is that we do not lose more ground.”

Wenger admits the defeat against Norwich, which came after Vito Mannone spilled Alex Tettey’s powerful drive to allow Grant Holt to score from close range, was “difficult to swallow”.

The Frenchman says his side must stop conceding early goals if they are to move up the table.

“We made more than 600 passes in that game and I watched it again twice and they defended very well,” he said.

“We were not quick or sharp enough to create chances.”