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Wenger rues 'cheap goals' in Arsenal derby defeat

Arsene Wenger said the referee was "not at his best" © Getty Images

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Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal conceded "cheap goals" as they surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose to Tottenham in the north London derby.

Arsenal went in front through Mesut Ozil, but two goals from Harry Kane turned the game on its head. Wenger's men failed to produce another battling away display like when winning at Manchester City last month.

"We scored early, but I think going forward, we didn't produce enough," he said. "When we went forward, we always looked dangerous to score but were we too focused to defend our goal? I think so.

"I believe that we made too many technical mistakes compared to our level, because of Tottenham in the middle of the park. They put us under pressure and we lost some balls we are not used to losing.

"They were cheap goals [to concede]. Tottenham didn't create so much, but I think we didn't produce enough. Overall, we defended with solidarity but the biggest regret is that we didn't have a good day. We can do much better - that is for sure and that is the positives of the day.

"It [the top-four challenge] will be a battle until the end. It has been every year with Spurs. We just have to focus on us, because there are many teams fighting to get in there [the top four]."

Wenger was also left less than impressed by the performance of referee Martin Atkinson, feeling several fouls went unpunished.

"I felt he was a little bit like us - not at his best," the Arsenal manager added.

Wenger also believes Spurs striker Kane deserves a chance with the England team.

"He was good as always. He grows and he has a good determination. He doesn't stop, he keeps going," he said. "When you have scored the number of goals he has scored, if you don't put him in there [England], somebody will give him a passport to another country."

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