Soccer

Wenger hoping to have turned corner

Soccer: Arsene Wenger believes things will be different now Arsenal have returned to winning ways in the Premier League

Sun Sept 11 2011 - 01:00

Soccer:Arsene Wenger believes things will be different now Arsenal have returned to winning ways in the Premier League. The Gunners endured a nightmare start to the campaign which culminated in a humiliating 8-2 reverse at Manchester United before the international break.

Wenger brought in five new signings ahead of the deadline, all of whom featured in the squad for yesterday’s nervous 1-0 victory over Swansea at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners manager hopes now everyone can move on from a turbulent few weeks, as they prepare for Tuesday night’s opening Champions League group game at Borussia Dortmund.

“When you don’t win you have a deep problem, that’s for sure. The longer it lasts, the deeper the problem becomes. As soon as you win things are different,” Wenger said.

Swansea — coached by assistants Colin Pascoe and Alan Curtis as manager Brendan Rodgers missed the game following the death of his father — certainly did not make it an easy afternoon for Arsenal’s beleaguered team.

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Indeed, but for a fine reflex save from Wojciech Szczesny, striker Danny Graham would have given them an early lead after getting ahead of debutant German defender Per Mertesacker in the six-yard box.

England winger Theo Walcott saw a goalbound effort hacked off the line by on-loan Tottenham full-back Steven Caulker before what proved to be the decisive moment of the match five minutes before the break.

Swans keeper Michel Vorm collected a high ball into the box, before then attempting a quick roll-out. However, the Dutchman only succeeded in hitting the heels of Angel Rangel, which gifted possession to Andrey Arshavin and the Russian promptly swept into an unguarded net from a tight angle.

It may not have been the best of team displays from Arsenal, but newboy Mikel Arteta seemed to fit straight into midfield following his deadline day move from Everton.

“It was important for us to get the three points and forget about what happened two weeks ago [at Manchester United]. We have got a big Champions League game on Tuesday, so now we focus on that.”