Arsenal‘s title hopes were dealt a severe blow on Saturday as the Gunners were devastated 4-0 by Southampton in the Premier League.
Speaking to the media after the match, Arsene Wenger revealed the key reason why the north London heavyweights were so found wanting against the Saints, who have not always impressed in the top flight so far this season.
“Well done to Southampton, decisions maybe went for them because they wanted it more than us,” the French coach told the Mirror, accusing his players of lacking desire for such a critical contest.
“We didn’t play well, I don’t dispute that, but with wrong decisions it is even more difficult to win.”
The result means that Arsenal, who have won 11 of their 18 matches to date so far this season, missed the chance to replace Leicester City at the top of the Premier League table, despite the latter’s Boxing Day loss to Liverpool.
Arsenal’s 4-0 demolition at the hands of Southampton leaves them in second, only one point ahead of Manchester City, and throws further doubt on whether the Gunners—who have so often flattered to deceive since winning the title over a decade ago—can truly push on to lift the championship.
With reigning champions Chelsea struggling, and with Manchester United wholly unconvincing under Louis van Gaal—the Red Devils lost again, to Stoke City, on Boxing Day—Arsenal may not get a better chance to end their long wait for the domestic championship.
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