Mixed emotions for Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he was proud of his team but was left frustrated about the season after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.

A well-taken second-half goal from midfielder Aaron Ramsey was enough to give Arsenal the three points on Sunday, keeping the English Premier League title race alive.

But it is Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea who are the more likely to catch United, with just three points separating the sides ahead of their meeting at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Wenger said his team performed admirably but could be left to rue a three-match winless run earlier this month, where they collected just two points against Liverpool, Tottenham and Bolton.

“We needed to show that we had spirit and fighting discipline. We had a lot of possession in the first half and had some chances,” Wenger told Sky Sports.

“We reduced Manchester United to very few chances and overall until we scored the goal we were the dominant team.”

“After that you could see the desire to protect the goal was stronger than to go forward. Overall, I feel very proud of the character we have shown. They have given everything.”

“It’s very frustrating. But you want to consider the result in itself today and congratulate the team.”

The match saw each team have strong penalty appeals turned down.

Arsenal appealed for a spot-kick after a blatant handball from Nemanja Vidic in the first half, while United felt they should have had a penalty late in the game when Gael Clichy brought Michael Owen down.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson rued the decision not to award his team a penalty and was already preparing to face Chlesea next week.

“It’s too big a game not to get the decisions right,” Ferguson said.

“It balances out in that respect but I think it was difficult to see that one (Vidic incident) but the one at the end, Clichy knew, he put his hands up in horror.”

“Obviously it gives Chelsea a major chance now and that’s what happens when you get these decisions.”

Ferguson said his team deserved at least a point out of their visit to Emirates Stadium, particularly for the way they played after Ramsey’s 56th-minute goal.

“After that we dominated and I think we deserved something,” Ferguson said.

“I think we didn’t use the ball properly but once we lost the goal, we were in their half most of the time.”