Wenger rues Everton equaliser but accepts draw as a fair result

Thursday, November 29, 2012
7:00 AM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was pleased to leave Goodison Park with a point with a 1-1 despite his side dominating the last 10 league meetings against Everton, winning eight and drawing just two.

Theo Walcott returned to the side after his shoulder injury and netted after just 52 seconds but Marouane Fellaini scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season to ensure a share of the spoils.

“It was a game of big physical intensity, we had a good start and after that I felt Everton came back into it and their direct game was always a threat,” the Gunners boss said.

“There are regrets on the goal we conceded but 1-1 is a fair result and it is a good point here.

“We needed to show great spirit to get away with a point and I am pleased with the effort they put into the game.”

Arsenal lost Laurent Koscielny to a groin strain after just four minutes and Wenger said he expected the centre-back to be out for three weeks.

Everton manager David Moyes was less satisfied, bemoaning referee Mike Jones’ decision not to give them a penalty when Steven Pienaar went down under a challenge from former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta in the second half only for a corner to be awarded.

“It was a penalty,” the Scot said. “We played Arsenal, who are a really good team, but we also had very few decisions go for us.

“Sometimes referees’ decisions change the games. in some games something might go in your favour but we were never going to get that.

“We got nothing whatsoever and anything we were going to get we had to earn on our own because we were not going to get a jot.

“There was an incident when the ball got chipped into the box later on and he gave a push on Fellaini.

“I’ve had a chance to see it and it was never anything like it. I found that one as mystifying as any really.

“We found it a difficult night from that point if view but the players played really well throughout.”