Wenger condemns his Arsenal: Southampton wanted it more

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger questioned his players' desire after their thrashing at Southampton.

Wenger admits his players lost too many 50-50s in the 4-0 rout.

"I think Southampton made the game very physical and we lost many challenges and that explains why we lost the game. That is one aspect, so well done to them. The second aspect is that on the first three goals we were really unlucky with the decision of the referee, the second goal was a foul and the third goal was a goal kick. If you are a bit under level and on top of that you have the first three goals against you with decision-making, it is even more difficult. We hope in the next game we have decisions like that for us.

"I smile, I don't smile. What can I do about it? I cannot influence that. I must say they were sharper than us in the challenges and on that front we have to look at what we can master. We cannot master the decision of the referee but we can master our own behaviour and I believe Southampton looked stronger in the challenges and we lost too many tonight.

"I said before the game at the moment if we are one point ahead or one point behind it is not too important. It is the performance that counts. We were not good enough to win the game and we have to look at that. On the other hand we can't look too much at that as in 48 hours we play again. We were disappointed and frustrated and the only way is to respond in 48 hours."

Asked about the passion of the Saints players, Wenger conceded they failed to match the hosts.

"I would say that. We know if we lost the challenges it is because of that. They went 1-0 up, 2-0 up and after we had to come out and take more risks and they took advantage of that. They looked sharp on the counter-attack."