Wenger upset by 'second-best' Arsenal
Arsene Wenger was unhappy with a lack of commitment from his Arsenal side in during its humbling at Southampton.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger felt his players lacked commitment in tackles during the 4-0 defeat to Southampton and conceded the home side was much sharper at St Mary's Stadium.
Wenger's men missed the chance to go top of the Premier League on Sunday (AEDT) as it was undone by a Shane Long brace and further goals from Cuco Martina and Jose Fonte.
After last week's victory over Manchester City, hopes were high for a sustained title challenge from Arsenal, but Wenger was left unhappy with his side's lethargic display at St Mary's.
"I don't much take too much notice of the scoreline in my consideration but we lost too many challenges, they were sharper than us," he said. "We were unlucky on the first one [goal]. The first shot on goal from the right back [Martina] goes in the top corner.
"The second one was a foul on [Laurent] Koscielny and that was the turning point but the referee didn't see it, then we were exposed on counterattacks. It's a disappointing result but I have to say well done to Southampton.
"In many challenges we were second best. The referee let a lot go as well but when you're not dominant that's the price you pay."
Surprise leader Leicester City remains two points clear despite its defeat to Liverpool earlier on Boxing Day, with City's 4-1 win over Sunderland moving it to within just one point of Arsenal.
Asked about the unpredictable nature of this season's Premier League, Wenger added: "I said many times it's down to consistency to fight in every game and find the resources to produce top-level performances.
"[It] was a very, very physical game and this team [Southampton] fights for their life — as long as we couldn't score the first goal you could see it would be a difficult game."
