Wenger Reacts; It Was Difficult To Beat Newcastle

Arsene Wenger has disclosed that his side's unity helped them conquered stubborn Newcastle United on Saturday to remain top of the league after playing their 20th game of the season.

Laurent Koscielny's 72nd minute goal made all the differences as the Gunners maintain the position they inherited from Leicester City, last week.

The French man commended Petr Cech, who has continued to keep clean sheets for the club as they fight to clinch their first EPL title in almost a decade.

"It was a difficult game against a good Newcastle side. Our legs were heavy today, I must say. Overall we were tested against a team with a lot of technical quality and our fluency was not there and our movement was not there. Our motto was try to stick together and win the game how we can. The mental aspect of our team and our defence mentality was tested today rather than our quality going forward."

"He made two big saves, one in the first half and one in the second half and on top of that he gives calm dynamics. Today we needed that."

"I read more about the bad singings I have made so I don’t know."

"I have been in football long enough to know if you are Newcastle’s players you feel for them because they played very well. But I know because I have been in a long time when you are capable to win and don’t play well that shows a mental aspect of your team that will be very important in moments that will be difficult."

"Flamini has played well and it was a difficult game for the midfielders because they put a lot of pressure on us and we didn’t find our combinations. You never know when you play in midfield if you move away from the ball and get into areas where you can get the ball or if you sit. He is intelligent and has experience."

"To not drop points with the way we played today, I think it is very important. It helps the team as well because you go through moments where you don’t play well. The memory of having done that before and still having won the game, helps you to hang on sometimes."

"It is too far. We are on 42 points. Let’s be realistic. I think we should focus being on a strong performance and focus more on our performance. We try not to look too much at the other results and for us it is important to get the quality of our game back."

"A little bit. I think we have given a lot during Christmas and we have had games before over Christmas. At the end of the day what do people look at after Christmas? Four games and how many points you have made. Nine points is acceptable or even good. Ten is close to ideal because you look at last year and I think Manchester City made 10 and after the second best made seven and we made six or seven. Manchester United made seven, Manchester City made 10 points over Christmas. Nine is not bad."

"They did quite well in the minutes they stayed on because I put Ozil centre forward and he has quality to keep the ball and run from deep spaces and Aaron Ramsey can do that."

"No, there's nothing to say about Mohamed Elneny at the moment."

What type of player Elneny is? You know that.

"I have nothing to say because he is not our player. We have not signed anybody and we are not imminently in a position where we can say we have signed somebody. We are out there to get someone but at the moment we haven’t signed anybody."