Arsene Wenger hails Arsenal's steely performance against Manchester United: 'Last year we would have lost this game'

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Vaishali Bhardwaj19 November 2016

Arsene Wenger has praised Arsenal's grit and determination to secure a comeback 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Saturday, saying he believes the Gunners now have a different approach to playing the Red Devils from previous seasons.

Substitute Olivier Giroud rescued a late point for Arsenal at Old Trafford following Juan Mata's opener after he headed in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross in the 89th minute.

The goal ensured the Gunners did not experience a repeat of what happened in the same fixture last season, when a brace from Marcus Rashford handed United a 3-2 win.

Wenger believes today's showing from his Arsenal players demonstrated that the team have improved in their mental approach to playing United and praised the Gunners' team spirit in Manchester.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wenger said: "The result in the end is positive for us because we were 1-0 down with two minutes to go. For the rest it was a bit of a scrappy game with two teams well organised who defended well.

"Our passing was not quick enough, our penetration was not there and in the end we looked like we had good possession of the ball but not many chances. In the second half we suffered for the first 20 minutes and they deserved to be in front.

"The players who came on made a massive difference today. When you are 1-0 down and come back to 1-1 of course you have to feel happy.

"We lacked a bit of sharpness today, what is it down to I don't know but at least we came back."

PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

When then asked whether Arsenal have a mental block against United, Wenger replied: "I wondered during the game about that.

"Honestly you never know. Last year we would have maybe lost this game and today we didn't so we have improved on that front. Hopefully now we can kick on with some wins."

He added: "We have shown steel, we want style as well but we had more steel than style today.

"We have good spirit and that has shown today."

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