Wenger: Stoke loss major blow
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, March 4, 2014
Arsene Wenger conceded Arsenal's stuttering Premier League title bid had suffered a "major setback" after it lost ground at the top with a shock 0-1 defeat at Stoke.
Jon Walters' second-half penalty handed Stoke a famous win at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday and left the Gunners four points behind Premier League leader Chelsea in third place. Liverpool beat Southampton 3-0 to move into second place.
Andre Schurrle scored a hat-trick in Chelsea's 3-1 win at Fulham.
"It is not slightly worrying, it is a big worry for us to lose a game like that. It's a massive setback," Wenger said.
"In a game like that, we didn't produce the performance we wanted. To win a title when you are expected to perform you have to perform. It's as simple as that."
Although it was Mark Hughes, as opposed to predecessor Tony Pulis in the Potters' home dugout, the game retained the same feisty edge so memorable from these teams' recent meetings. Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam both escaped without sanction from referee Mike Jones despite controversial challenges on Olivier Giroud, frustrating the striker.
"I have nothing to say about that. I am long enough in the game to make my own judgement," Wenger said.
"It would be a shame if people highlight that as it wasn't that type of game," Potters boss Hughes said.
However, the Arsenal manager was unimpressed by Jones' decision to point to the spot after adjudging Laurent Koscielny handled inside the penalty area as Walters attempted to lift the ball over him.
"We conceded a goal that was a nice gift from the referee but that can happen," Wenger added.
"He was one yard away. How could he take his hand away in time? There was no intention at all."
Wenger's side could have few complaints with the outcome, however.
"We had a good defensive performance and overall we are unlucky to lose this game but offensively we did not create enough," Wenger said. "Our offensive game was poor considering our standards."
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