Arsene Wenger calls Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Southampton self-inflicted

Arsene Wenger believes the defeat against Southampton was self-inflicted

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has lashed out at his team’s performance against Southampton on Thursday, saying that the defeat was “self-inflicted” and that his side lost a game that they could‘ve won. The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by the Saints at the St.Mary’s stadium on Thursday, leaving them at sixth position in the table with 33 points.

"[It was a] self-inflicted defeat -- we made mistakes which allowed them to win the game. We had the lapses of focus in a vital area, where you pay. A game that was winnable, we lost, that is my main concern today rather than the fourth place," Wenger said.

When asked about goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's twin mistakes on the field, Wenger said that he didn't wish to comment on that and added that each time his team look as if they are on the cusp of stringing a few good performances together, they always stumble in the next game.

"I don't want to talk about that.I don't want to make too much a case of it today, it's unfortunate but it was a misunderstanding with [Laurent] Koscielny at the start,” Wenger said.

"And after he should have stayed on Mane and not let him take the ball and run away from him. Every time we look like we can get on a run we have a hiccup. And we have to learn from that very quickly, because we will need that,” he added.

Gardos should’ve been red-carded: Wenger

On a day that saw a few criticisms come the way of the referees in the Premier League, Wenger said that Southampton defender Florin Gardos should’ve got a red card for his challenge on Alexis Sanchez. The 26-year-old Romanian got away with a yellow card for the same.

"It was definitely a red card. It was one against one with the keeper, '' Wenger said.

He also confirmed that Davis Ospina will play in the FA Cup clash against Hull City on Sunday, saying, “Ospina will play on Sunday."