- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was left disappointed with their Carling Cup defeat to Manchester City.
Wenger labelled his much-changed side naive after they conceded late on, Sergio Aguero's goal stemming from an Arsenal corner.
He said: "It was an unfair result but I felt we were a bit naive. I felt as well we did not take our corners very well but overall what is frustrating is that we lost a game we looked the winner of.
"We put a lot of effort in and are not rewarded. We lacked a little bit of experience to be decisive in the final third."
Wenger did take some positives out of the game but insisted the Premier League was always his priority despite being so close to the semi-finals of this competition.
"I think in midfield (Emmanuel) Frimpong did well and (Francis) Coquelin did well," he said.
"Sometimes you could feel in the final third we lacked a little in creativity - but overall we did well and I cannot fault the team. They did very well and showed heart, quality and desire.
"You can argue that we lost the easiest trophy to win, but if you look at the teams who are still in it doesn't seem as easy to win as usually.
"I consider the championship the most important for us, more than anything else it is important to finish in the top four."
- No punches were thrown between Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong and Manchester City's Samir Nasri in their clash last night.
Nasri was involved in a tunnel bust-up with former Arsenal team-mate Frimpong after helping Manchester City reach the Carling Cup semi-finals.
The pair, who clashed on Twitter when Nasri left for City earlier in the season, gestured to each other as they approached the tunnel after the final whistle of a tie settled by Sergio Aguero's only goal.
Arsenal denied punches were thrown but a witness confirmed the players confronted each other as they left for the dressing rooms at the Emirates Stadium.
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger denies he was reacting towards Marouane Chamakh after he missed a late header last night.
Chamakh had the chance to cancel out Manchester City's 1-0 lead in the Carling Cup, but failed to connect with a late cross.
"He wasn’t far away from the ball. I did not react at Chamakh, it was more frustration that we did not score and come back. I felt as well that Squillaci was behind him - if someone else goes in behind him it was a tap-in at the far post," Wenger said.
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was pleased with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in defeat toManchester City.
The winger was threatening in the 1-0 Carling Cup loss.
"We lacked a little bit of experience to be more decisive in the final third but Chamberlain looked the whole night like he could deliver something special. He has shown already tonight that he has moved forward, considering where he was in the last two months. He has improved a lot already," Wenger said.
The experience tonight shows that it's good sometimes to be positive and as well patient. I was very patient with him until now and I feel that it is important sometimes that you hold them back a little bit and keep them on the training ground. He has shown that he has improved a lot.
He has surprised me by the consistency of this game. You pushed him off the ball easily two months ago but tonight you could see that his resistance in the challenges, his strength in the duels, is there. That is of course very important at the top level."
- Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie has paid tribute to Gary Speed.
Van Persie has used his matchday programme notes to pay tribute to the Wales manager, Gary Speed, who died at the weekend.
"I was shocked to hear about Gary Speed’s death on Sunday," said the Arsenal captain.
"In my first couple of years here I played against him during his spell at Bolton; I remember him as a really fit, good player who could read the game very well and had done so much in the Premier League over a number of years.
"I didn’t know him personally, but he really came to my attention again when he made Aaron captain of Wales - that’s when I started to find out a bit more about him, having a couple of chats with Aaron and thinking what a brave and forward-thinking move it was to give a 20 year-old that responsibility.
"It shows you what kind of guy he was, and that he had some great ideas for the future of Welsh football. Two Dutch friends of mine, Michael Kuijpers and Raymond Verheijen, were his physio and fitness coach with Wales - they told me some great stories about how good Gary was with the players and how well admired he was.
"Looking at the newspapers, every single tribute was about his footballing life, creating a lovely picture of who he was and all that he achieved. It’s nice, because it ensures the younger generation get to know him properly and get a feel for everything he did.
"My deep sympathy goes to his family, friends and everyone who knew him."
- Manchester City fullback Gael Clichy feels former club Arsenal will finish in the top four.
Clichy, who left the Gunners for Manchester City in a £7million move in the summer, says he never doubted manager Arsene Wenger’s ability to turn round their fortunes, even when the knives were out for him in August.
“I always said they will be near the top at the end of the season and I still believe that,” said Clichy. “They had everything against them at the start of the season – red cards, injuries, own-goals.
“I always said they should keep going because they will get on top of that – and now they are showing their start wasn’t right. They will put it right for the end of the season, that is for sure.”
- Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker admits he's still adapting to life in London.
The German international, 27, said he struggled to adapt following his hurriedly-arranged move.
But Mertesacker has since helped Arsenal go on an impressive run of form, and become the first English side to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
He said: “I want to prove that I can make it in London.
"My transfer went through very quickly, and it is a huge changeover to make in one’s career.
“London is a huge city, but you just have to dive in and try to play a part rather than crawling away and hiding.
“Otherwise you won’t stand a chance – you will sink like a stone. You simply have to try to speak English, drive on the left and get involved.”
- Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie feels Mikel Arteta has stepped up a level since his arrival.
Arteta was a deadline-day signing from Everton in August and he has impressed the Dutch striker.
"What I really like at the moment is that you can see people stepping up a level and growing in confidence," Van Persie said. "I can really notice that around the team.
"For example, Mikel Arteta is playing really well. He’s so intelligent. He knows when to go forward, he knows when to sit back. Sometimes Alex Song makes a run forward, and because of his experience, Mikel can read the game perfectly, knows when to go forward, when to help his team out, or when to play for others.
"Everyone can see he has grown into his role, and you can tell he has played many games in the Premier League."
- Arsenal fullback Andre Santos is happy with his progress since arriving in August from Fenerbahce.
Santos admits it took him time to find his feet in the Premier League but says he is enjoying his football at Emirates Stadium after a period of adjustment.
“I believe I needed a little run of games to get used to everything,” he said.
“I feel a lot better on the pitch now - I’m getting to know the characteristics of all my team-mates and this is very important for me. I’m learning to position myself better on the pitch and to read the game better as well. All of this comes with experience.
“English football is fast and strong and I think the best in the world – the experience we get here makes each of us get better every day.
“I’m very well and feeling really good here at Arsenal. I would like to thank everyone that helped me to get here, everyone at the Club now, and the fans – who are always behind us.
“I have to say that I’m very happy here and hope to stay here for a long time. I came here to win titles and be victorious, and I’m sure I can achieve that here.”
- Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is again attracting interest from German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg.
The Czech Republic captain emerged as a target for the Wolves in the summer but nothing ever eventuated and now they could make a move for him in January.
Rosicky is currently being used sparingly by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger who might choose to get some cash for the 31-year old former Borussia Dortmund man in the winter market as he comes out of contract next summer.
- The agent of New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream has revealed Arsenal made an offer for him last year.
Ream is set for trials with Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion.
Patrick McCabe said: “There are numerous teams that have been watching Tim for the last two years.
“I won’t comment on specific clubs at this time but they are from England, France, Holland, Scotland and Germany.
“Arsenal did make an offer to purchase Tim at the end of the 2010 season.
“The offer was rejected and no further negotiations followed.
“Red Bull was not interested in selling Tim at that time.”
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