• Premier League

Loss could have killed title hopes - Wenger

Robin van Persie's goal earned Arsenal a 2-2 draw with West Brom © PA Photos

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his team's 2-2 draw at West Brom was two points dropped in the Premier League title race - but insisted it was an important one gained for the players psychologically.

With United beating Bolton 1-0, Wenger's side are now five points off the top, but the Frenchman had spoken ahead of the Hawthorns contest about the need for "mental toughness'' in the Gunners camp and in that respect, he felt it was vital the game was not lost.

"The pitch was very difficult for us and it was difficult to pass at top speed, so it was almost more down to character and resilience - and we have shown plenty,'' Wenger said. "Mathematically we lost two points, but psychologically I think we won a point, because when you are 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go, you cannot be too unhappy with this comeback.''

He added: "I said that no matter happened today, it would not be over, but for the team it was important not to lose. With what has happened to us recently, you wonder how we would have recovered if we had lost the game today.''

Wenger took issue with the playing surface but acknowledged that poor defending on Arsenal's part had been key for both of West Brom's goals.

He said: "The pitch was not at fault when we conceded the goals - we were at fault on the first and the second, we cannot blame the pitch for that.''

Reid rose unchallenged in the box to nod home Chris Brunt's corner in the third minute, with Aaron Ramsey appearing to be the main culprit in failing to mark the former Blackburn player.

Almunia then came charging off his line in the 58th minute when Youssouf Mulumbu launched a long ball forward and completely misjudged it, the Spaniard getting in a tangle with Squillaci as Odemwingie gleefully slotted into the net.

The watching Jens Lehmann, back on the Arsenal bench after rejoining the club on a rolling monthly contract earlier in the week, looked less than impressed. Wenger made his disappointment at the mistakes plain, but refused to refer to individual names and preferred to focus on the way the team rallied afterwards.

"I do not want to go too much into individual criticism,'' Wenger said. "The players involved in that second goal know what it was about and what was good was the reaction the whole team has shown and their fighting spirit. It will be interesting through to the end because we are ready to focus and ready for a fight.''

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