Arsenal boss admits front line is work in progress after Stoke draw

Arsene Wenger. Photo credit: Nick Potts/PA wire

Sunday, August 26, 2012
6:01 PM

Arsene Wenger accepts it will take time for his strikers to form a partnership

Arsene Wenger has admitted that it will take time for his new-look strike force to gel after they endured a second successive stalemate this term.

The Gunners controlled the game against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium but struggled to forge any clear-cut chances despite naming a front three of

Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Gervinho.

It further highlighted the exit of last term’s top goalscorer Robin van Persie to Manchester United and Wenger accepted that his front line is a work in progress.

“Offensively we still have some work to do because we missed a bit of accuracy in the final third in our movement and in our passing,” the Arsenal boss said.

“We are used to finding each other in the final third and there’s something missing but I still think we should have won the game 1-0.

“It is an understanding because you have Cazorla and Podolski who, one month ago, didn’t know each other, so that will come.

“We have some work to do on the training ground but I believe we have the potential but you can see as well that something is missing.

“They’re not spontaneous enough in some situations. I’m very positive about my team. People will say: ‘You did not score in two games’ and I cannot deny that.

“We played against two teams who as a unit defend very well, Sunderland and Stoke, and overall I believe we can be a good surprise in this Championship.”

Last season, Arsenal saw their bid for the title take an early dent as defeats against Liverpool and Manchester United followed an opening day 0-0 draw at Newcastle.

However, Wenger conceded winning a point against Stoke is not a given and is another positive to take back to the Emirates.

“You have to give credit to Stoke,” Wenger said. “They defended well and have experience at the back and are a very strong team defensively.

“As long as we didn’t score an opener they were happy with the point and you could see that.

“Is it a point gained or two dropped? I would say it is two dropped on the day but I would say it is a good point as it is difficult for everybody to take a point at Stoke.”