Wenger slams ´poor´ Arsenal

1 January 2013 22:37

Frustrated Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has blasted his side after their poor showing in a 1-1 at Southampton on Tuesday.

Saints dominated the New Year's Day clash and frustrated Arsenal throughout with the Gunners only equalising through a Guly do Prado own goal shortly before the interval.

Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap further to the top four following 15 goals in a run of four straight wins.

"We scored seven on Saturday (against Newcastle) and five at Reading," Wenger said.

"Maybe we thought we had made enough progress and eased off but that doesn't work at this level."

Southampton deservedly went ahead through Gaston Ramirez's strike and were denied late on when the Uruguayan's second was ruled out for a shove on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.

Former Saint Theo Walcott could not continue his run after 10 goals in 10 Premier League games and Wenger, though disappointed, was pleased to escape with even a point.

"We come out with a point but it is a lucky point," Wenger said.

"We are frustrated because we didn't create enough. Recently we scored goals but today we were not creative, didn't play with purpose.

"I give credit to Southampton because they wanted it, defended well and fought for every ball. But we had a lack of offensive quality today."

"Given our performance a point was OK but given our target we dropped two points today."

Southampton's third straight draw moved them out of the relegation zone and was significant for Nigel Adkins' side after the 6-1 mauling Arsenal dished out at the Emirates in the corresponding fixture in September.

"The lads yet again put a very good performance in and it just shows how far we've come," Adkins said.

"At the start of the season we got a good spanking down at their place and today, I thought defensively we looked very solid.

"Tactically we were good and all round some really good performances."

After only four points in their opening 10 fixtures, Southampton have picked up 14 in their next 10, including only two losses.