A defiant Arsene Wenger claims that his Arsenal team were still the best team in England this season, despite handing the title to rivals Manchester United.
The Gunners 3-2 home defeat to Leeds, ensured the Premeir League title makes its way to Old Trafford for the eighth time in eleven years, but Wenger is adamant that Arsenal are the best team in England.
‘Over the whole season, if you look at the FA Cup and the Premier League, then we were certainly the best team in England.
‘But in the championship, United found their form at the right moment and had a consistent run recently.’
Wenger belief is based on Arsenal’s run to the FA Cup final, during which they overcame Manchester United at Old Trafford. However, the Frenchman did concede that the most consistent team had prevailed in the title race.
‘United have won the championship and we can just congratulate them and say they were the best in the Premiership this season,’ added a bitterly disappointed Wenger.
‘I don’t think they have been flying though. They were consistent and have found a consistent defence. The last two games were quite easy and we had difficult games against Bolton and Leeds.
‘I think it was very close. If we had won at Bolton, we would certainly have won the championship, I can guarantee you that.
‘We had things in our hands at 2-0 up with 15minutes to go before we lost three players injured and then conceded two goals.
‘It was as close as that. You lose or winon a little thing and, afterwards, you have to accept that everyone will say the difference was big.
‘But even then, if we had won against Leeds, I think we would have won the championship.
‘I feel that we’ve been unlucky andbadly done by recently. We’ve had difficult games and played against teams who had a real go every time we played them.
‘When we were put out of the Champions League, we lost some of our momentum and then we were without Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell. If you miss half of the army, then it’s difficult.’
