Wenger calls for tough response

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called on his side to respond from their FA Cup loss to Sunderland when they meet Spurs in the league next weekend.

After their 4-0 mauling by AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, the north Londoners lost 2-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as Kieran Richardson and an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal condemned them to the prospect of another trophyless season.

Wenger said his team’s busy schedule had caught up with them, and felt they were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty for John O’Shea’s challenge on Robin van Persie.

“I feel we had a committed performance and we gave absolutely everything that was left in our legs. It was a very difficult game,” Wenger said.

“We had three away games in a week on three very difficult pitches. It was a very unfortunate schedule.”

“We fought hard but I felt we were a bit unlucky. It was a 100 percent penalty that Mr (Howard) Webb missed and Sunderland scored with their first shot on goal.”

“Then we had to chase the game, take every gamble and we were caught on the break for the second goal. We had an awful lot of possession but did not create a lot and that is down to fantastic defending by Sunderland. They left us the ball, ran after it and defended well.”

Wenger said his team would have to respond well to the set back when they meet an in-form Spurs side at the Emirates Stadium next Saturday.

“Let’s focus on our next game to finish well in the Premier League and fight as well even if it is a small possibility in the Champions League to give us a little chance and we have a big game next Saturday,” he said.

“On our side, it is important we show internal strength and resilience and face all that and come out with a good performance in our next game.”

“The competition is very hard in England and I do not want to speak too much about that now. We could speak a long time about that one day. But at the moment we have to forget all that and focus on our next game and try to win it.”

Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey and Sebastien Squillaci were all withdrawn with injury during the game and Wenger admitted his side’s fitness was becoming an issue.

“We lost three players again today and we are starting to get very short,” Wenger said. “None of them will be fit for next week.”