LIVERPOOL: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed the resilience shown by his players in their 2-2 draw with Everton underlines their Premier League title credentials.
The Gunners showed plenty of grit as they battled back from two goals down to rescue a point in the closing minutes at Goodison Park on Saturday following a determined second-half showing.
Wenger compared the response of his players to the one they showed when the two sides last met on Merseyside in April.
Last season the north London club were also faced with a 2-0 half-time deficit at Goodison, but offered a tame showing after the interval as they went on to lose 3-0.
“When we got beaten here 3-0 it could have been many more,” Wenger said.
“Three was quite flattering on the day,” the veteran French boss added. “For us to come back from 2-0 down against a team as good on the counter attack it shows the belief and resilience was there.
“It is our ambition (to challenge for the title). If we can maintain that, of course we can (be challengers).
“We had a big test and at half-time it was even a bigger test. We responded well. We were a bit nervous at the start. Before that we were a bit tentative and Everton are a good side as well.
“We gave a great response with a complete desire to come back and the spirit was fantastic.”
Wenger also played down concerns about the early season form of Alexis Sanchez after the Chile forward made little impact at Goodison.
Everton had deserved their lead at the break, earned thanks to Seamus Coleman’s header from a Gareth Barry free-kick and Steven Naismith’s smart finish after great work by Romelu Lukaku.
But Arsenal pulled a goal back seven minutes from time when the impressive Aaron Ramsey slid in to guide the ball home.
AFP
