Preston 1 Arsenal 2: The only positive at half-time was we were only 1-0 down, admits Arsene Wenger

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James Benge7 January 2017

The only positive Arsene Wenger took from Arsenal’s woeful first half display in their FA Cup third round tie was that they were only trailing 1-0 by the interval.

Though Arsenal would go on to win 2-1 Preston took an early at Deepdale through Callum Robinson’s sixth minute goal, the result of a series of defensive blunders that would be all too familiar in a first half that far exceeded Tuesday’s woes at Bournemouth in its incompetence.

Preston’s energetic forward line were a constant menace for Arsenal but Gabriel, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal did themselves few favours as they pondered over possession whilst looking meek in the tackle.

Robinson should have turned provider for a second but failed to pick out Jordan Hugill with a simple pass that would have handed him a tap-in for 2-0.

Preston were also denied when they had the ball in the net on 40 minutes, Robinson’s header chalked off for a perceived foul on David Ospina, though the Arsenal goalkeeper did not cover himself in glory by flapping at the corner.

“I have to congratulate Preston, they gave us a tough game, a very tough first half,” Wenger told BT Sport. “The only positive in the first half was we were only 1-0 down.

“In the second half it was a completely different game. They defended well and they can feel a bit unlucky tonight, they created chances and made us do everything to win the game.

“We weren’t at the races in the first half. Beaten everywhere. We were not compact. We didn’t win the duels. We were outplayed. But sometimes when you come out of a Christmas period subconsciously you think the games are easier. It’s more difficult in the FA Cup.”

Wenger refused to reveal what he said in the dressing room at half-time but admitted he had been “angry”. He evidently had an impact, Aaron Ramsey firing Arsenal level within seconds of the restart.

Finding the winner proved a frustrating task for Arsenal but once more Olivier Giroud came to their rescue, tapping home from close range after an exceptional backheel on the byline by Lucas Perez.

The win extended Wenger’s record of never having failed to make it past the third round but Wenger admitted Preston had come as close as any to ending that streak.

Wenger added: “Someone reminded me yesterday that I have never been out in the third round in 21 years, but tonight, in the first half, it was close.

“Preston played with enthusiasm and quality in the first half, they were quicker than us all over.”

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