Arsene Wenger: 'I can't blame our spirit and work rate, but it was a disappointing afternoon. We put ourselves in trouble'

Published: 18 October, 2014 
By PAUL COWLING at the Emirates 

Premier League 
ARSENAL 2, HULL CITY 2 

ARSENE Wenger predicted Hull would be a "tough opponent", and so it proved, as Arsenal were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw this afternoon (Saturday). 

"It's always difficult playing a team who are organised and physically strong," said the Gunners boss after the match. 

"I can't blame our spirit and work rate, but it was a disappointing afternoon. We put ourselves in trouble. 

"To have 80 per cent possession and get one point…," Wenger broke off, clearly frustrated. 

It looked as if the win was there for the taking early on. Arsenal played their best football in the first 25 minutes, and took the lead after 13 minutes. 

Alexis Sanchez picked up a pass from Per Mertesacker and bamboozled Curtis Davies, before drilling into the far left-hand corner past keeper Steve Harper. 

But that lead didn't last long as Mohamed Diame raced into the Arsenal penalty area before jinking the ball over Wojciech Szczesny to make it 1-1. 

Arsenal made the worst possible start to the second half when Abel Hernandez rose above Mertesacker to head Hull into a 2-1 lead. Gunners fans were still queuing for their refreshments. 

With defensive injuries, Wenger had been forced to field Nacho Monreal at centre-half, with young Spaniard Hector Bellerin at right-back for his full Premier League debut. 

"Our defensive concentration was missing for the second goal," said Wenger. "We couldn't afford to lose that second goal, and we did." 

Now with the lead, Hull started to gain a measure of control, while Arsenal fans and players became increasingly frustrated. Passes went astray, and just as Danny Welbeck shaped himself into a good position outside the box, he slipped over. 

Jack Wilshere fouled Gaston Ramirez, but came off worse and had to be replaced by Joel Campbell. 

Arsenal camped in the Hull half for the last 20 minutes as they sought an equaliser. And when substitute goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic pushed over a goal-bound header from Sanchez it looked like the visitors were going to secure an unlikely win. 

But in the 91st minute Arsenal fans, who had been up in arms with Hull's apparent time-wasting tactics, jumped to their feet with relief as Welbeck finally grabbed the equaliser. 

The Gunners almost took all three points at the death, but Kieran Gibbs' header was palmed away by Jakupovic. 

It's now seven games without a win for the Gunners, who now find themselves 11 points behind leaders Chelsea. 

"Yes, the gap is a big concern when teams win games and you don't," said Wenger. "At the moment our focus must be the next game." 

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini (Ramsey, 63), Wilshere (Campbell, 67), Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez, Welbeck. 
Subs not used: Rosicky, Arteta, Martinez, Coquelin, Ajayi.
Attendance: 60,004