Match Reaction v Man Utd

[Boss]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on seeing his decision to take off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Andrey Arshavin being booed by Gunners fans: "In last 15 to 20 minutes we had players who have given everything, players like Oxlade-Chamberlain and he was playing on the left and it didn't work out. You do not need to agree with it (the decision), you can understand that. I dont know how many thousands of substitutions I have made over the years, the fans do not always agree with them. I make decisions and I stand up for them.

GTFO

[Olivier's xmas twist]

wenger admits he cost us

[Cripps_orig]

Wenger says there was a tactical mistake but doesnt elaborate when asked what it was

[topgun]

Hopefully getting a bollocking from RVP

Well thats exactly what should be happening.

[alexander]

Arsenal will win 2-0, Wenger will praise his players for having the strength to come back stronger than before and all that bs. It´d be better to lose, that and the following game, if one thinks long term. Changes usually end up coming when one´s desperate after all.

The night is darkest before the dawn.

[gunnerrrrr]

wenger admitted to a tactical mistake...lol

[McNamara That Ghost...]

GTFO

Didn't work out? Yeah I could see how that assist might count against him.

[gunnerrrrr]

shit...looks like things have kicked off...lol

[Dennis Bendtner]

Wenger says there was a tactical mistake but doesnt elaborate when asked what it was

Prolly starting Djourou at right-back.

[Syn]

I don't agree there is logic here - if it was a substitution that was to suggest he'd be happy with the point then ok, bring him off for a more defensive player; that would show logic but Arshavin coming on is neither here nor there in that respect.

That's what I mean about his assumptions being wrong. He believes that Arshavin is still a top player that was capable of producing a match-winning moment. He probably believed that Oxlade was about to tire. But what happens on the pitch doesn't correspond to what he assumes. I mean it's logical to pack only t-shirts when you go on holiday to Estonia in Winter if you believe the weather is going to be brilliant. Empirical evidence would suggest it's stupid though. That's what I mean when I say Wenger is a smart guy - he might be smart with his theory, but doesn't put enough weight on considering what is actually happening.