Arsene Wenger Calls Loss A Lesson

Arsene Wenger has said that the 2-1 defeat that they suffered at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk last night was a lesson for his team.

The London side were looking to seal their place in the knock out phase of the competition with two games to spare, something that would be achieved with away in the Ukraine.

And Arsenal made the perfect start as Theo Walcott put them ahead after just ten minutes. But any hopes of a repeat of the 5-1 beating Arsenal inflicted a fortnight ago vanished before half time as Craig Eastmond headed the ball into his own net for the equaliser.

And it was a goal that Arsenal never recovered from, despite Jack Wilshere sent an almost certain equaliser wide. Wenger called it a lesson for his side and insists they need to concentrate for the full ninety minutes if they want success.

Before half time former Gunner Eduardo came back to haunt his old club as he struck just before the whistle to give Shakhtar the lead.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match Wenger said: "We had a good start but after that we became too easy. We were punished against a good team. It's a good lesson for us.

"We were shown you can not get through without a 100 per cent defensive concentration. We came back in the second half, but they were intelligent as well.

"We had the chances in the second half but we couldn't take them. If you're not focused for 90 minutes then you will suffer."

Despite the defeat Arsenal still top Group H, level on nine points with Donetsk - both sides are three points clear of Braga.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw