A 4-3 defeat by Blackburn puts manager under even more pressure

BLACKBURN, England - Arsene Wenger vowed to carry on despite labelling Arsenal's start to the season "terrible" following another defeat.

A 4-3 setback at struggling Blackburn Rovers on Saturday left the London club with just four points from five league games.

It remains without a Premier League away win in seven attempts and has now conceded 12 times in its past two domestic away matches.

And Wenger did not hold back after watching his side twice blow the lead against a Blackburn side that had begun the day rooted at the foot of the table.

"At the moment we are not capable of focusing for 90 minutes from a defensive point of view," said the frustrated Arsenal manager.

"When you are 2-1 up with the quality that we have, it is important that you don't give cheap goals away like we did."

Regarding his side's start to the season, Wenger said: "It's terrible. It's just not good enough and, of course, we are very frustrated.

"The number of goals we have conceded is just not good enough. On the other hand, I believe the group will take off. But it's important we get good results."

Wenger said Arsenal was still nursing the psychological wounds inflicted by Manchester United in an 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford three weeks ago.

"At the moment, defensively, we are fragile because our confidence is gone due to what happened at Old Trafford," he said.

But Wenger brushed off suggestions he may be tempted to consider his future at the club where he was appointed manager 15 years ago this month.

"Speculation is part of modern life. My future is focusing on what I do well, which is to give my best to the club," he said. "What can I do? Not talk too much."

Arsenal was on course for its first Premier League away win since April 10 when goals from Gervinho and Mikel Arteta put it 2-1 ahead at half time at Ewood Park.

But Blackburn, without a win since the final day of last season, staged a remarkable comeback to storm into a 4-2 lead.

Former Everton striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who had scored his side's first, made it 3-2 after Arsenal's Alex Song had put through into his own net to level the scores.

Another own goal by Laurent Koscielny made it 4-2 before substitute Marouane Chamakh scored a late consolation.

About 250 Blackburn fans marched before the game in protest against coach Steve Kean following Rovers' poor start to the season.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 09/19/2011 page24)