Silvestre - Time to respond

Defender left baffled by defeat at DW Stadium

Last updated: 19th April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Silvestre - Time to respond

Silvestre: Wants a response

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Mikael Silvestre has called on Arsenal to offer a positive response to losing to Wigan Athletic after being left perplexed by the collapse at the DW Stadium.

Arsenal appeared to be heading towards three points on Sunday when leading 2-0 with 10 minutes to go, but Wigan rallied to win 3-2 to leave the Gunners' already slim title hopes in tatters.

Arsene Wenger was critical of his players after the game and experienced defender Silvestre was at a loss to explain how Wigan were allowed back into the contest.

The Gunners now face UEFA Champions League-chasing Manchester City at the weekend and Silvestre is determined to bounce back with a win.

Stopped playing

"We knew that three points was the only result to get back into the [title] race, and 20 minutes from the end, we thought we were going to get that result," Silvestre, who scored the second goal against Wigan, told Arsenal TV Online.

"Even with the players we were missing, we had enough quality and experience to get the three points.

"We will analyse what happened, but energy-wise we can give a lot more in the last 20 minutes. Instead of a response, we just let them do it.

"I do not understand why we did not control the game in a better way. Normally we can play our football and develop attacks, but after we went 2-0 up, we stopped playing and working hard.

"You cannot rest on what you have been doing in the past - every time you have to prove yourself and that you are the best team.

"We have to respect the club and the fans who travelled to Wigan and show them we can respond in the best way possible - which is a win against Manchester City.

"We need to get back to winning ways, back to happy days, but it won't come performing like that. We have to work harder.

"At our level, you do not want to deal with excuses. You want to show your quality and character in every single game.

"In football, you can always find an excuse for what has happened before.

"I believe what is important is the performance of the day. We now have to keep focus and try to win our next game."