Arsenal have lost just five Premier League matches since that Southampton loss.
Change in fortunes
Wenger reveals the defeat that became Arsenal's crucial turning point
The Frenchman believes defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day prompted his players to raise their game.
12.50pm, 26 Dec 2015
ARSENE WENGER BELIEVES the catalyst for Arsenal’s impressive displays throughout 2015 can be traced back to their defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Ronald Koeman’s men following two errors from Wojciech Szczesny but have only suffered five losses in the Premier League since that defeat.
“I will never forget that game in Southampton,” said Wenger.
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“There was a lot around the game after that. It was a turning point of our season. I think what changed is we are more stable defensively.
“If you look at our record we are more consistent with our results and I looked yesterday and someone made the table in 2015 and we are quite ahead of everyone else in 2015.
“The consistency has been quite good.”
Wenger also reiterated that cohesion is key to a successful title challenge in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s exit at Chelsea, as well as speculation over the futures of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, and Manuel Pellegrini at City.
“It’s more difficult because people are better informed today. They know more straight away,” he said.
When a team loses a game, everybody has an opinion and the environment is more destabilising than it was ever before.
“So maybe inside the clubs this kind of cohesion becomes more important, and resistance to that destabilising factor becomes more important.
“The society today always wants something new. We have news every half an hour, or every minute. But let’s not forget that football is as well about cohesion, about stability.
“I still think success is linked with the talent and cohesion.”
Wenger reveals the defeat that became Arsenal's crucial turning point
ARSENE WENGER BELIEVES the catalyst for Arsenal’s impressive displays throughout 2015 can be traced back to their defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Ronald Koeman’s men following two errors from Wojciech Szczesny but have only suffered five losses in the Premier League since that defeat.
“I will never forget that game in Southampton,” said Wenger.
“There was a lot around the game after that. It was a turning point of our season. I think what changed is we are more stable defensively.
“If you look at our record we are more consistent with our results and I looked yesterday and someone made the table in 2015 and we are quite ahead of everyone else in 2015.
“The consistency has been quite good.”
Wenger also reiterated that cohesion is key to a successful title challenge in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s exit at Chelsea, as well as speculation over the futures of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, and Manuel Pellegrini at City.
“It’s more difficult because people are better informed today. They know more straight away,” he said.
“So maybe inside the clubs this kind of cohesion becomes more important, and resistance to that destabilising factor becomes more important.
“The society today always wants something new. We have news every half an hour, or every minute. But let’s not forget that football is as well about cohesion, about stability.
“I still think success is linked with the talent and cohesion.”
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