Laurent Koscielny insists Arsenal became too comfortable in recent weeks
Sunday 1 January 2017 14:42, UK
Laurent Koscielny believes Arsenal became too "comfortable" prior to their recent back-to-back defeats, but feels the West Brom victory on Boxing Day has got them back on track.
After their opening day loss to Liverpool, the Gunners didn't suffer another defeat in the league until December 13, when Everton came from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory at Goodison.
It swiftly became two defeats in a week, as Arsenal again surrendered the lead to be beaten by Manchester City.
Victory over the Baggies on Boxing Day did stop the rot, and Koscielny believes doing so was crucial, as complacency had started to set in.
"It was a hard game, as West Brom played very well," Koscielny told Sky Sports. "They tried to play on the counter attack, which made it difficult. We were more incisive, and physically we were better than the two games before.
"We tried everything on the pitch to find a solution. It is difficult to play against teams who sit back very deep. We got the late goal, and got the three points. That is what is most important.
"Because we scored first in both games [Everton and Man City matches] we stopped to play. We waited for our opponent to do something.
"We were in too comfortable a position. We needed to push ourselves to score that second goal. That could make a real difference for us.
"When you have so many good results in a row after the Liverpool defeat, we were in too comfortable a position, and think we can win easily every time - it is not like this in football.
"You can have all the talent, but if you don't put everything in, help your team-mates, you can have bad results. We lost this teamwork quality in the two games we lost.
"We showed our character against West Brom, and it is important to keep this mentality for the rest of the season."
Koscielny also praised the contribution of Olivier Giroud, who has had to play second fiddle to Alexis Sanchez for much of this season, with the Gunners' skipper adamant his fellow countryman has an important role to play.
"At the beginning of the season he was a substitute, but when he has been on the pitch, he has scored some goals - some very important ones," Koscielny added.
"It is very important to have substitutes who can help the team. He does a great job every time in training. He trains hard to try and get back into the team. He has different qualities to Alexis Sanchez and it is important to have these different styles.
"Of course he has been frustrated. He is a professional, and wants to play every game. He is a striker who wants to score. Strikers are always focused on goals, and it is important to have this. He knows he will get his chance later in the season."
