Arsene Wenger makes feelings very clear on Arsenal's defeat to Man Utd

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Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal can place too much of a reliance on corners and claimed that their centre-halves were nervous during their loss to Manchester United .

The Red Devils secured a stunning win at the Emirates, just eight days after beating Manchester City , as Michael Carrick 's impressive start to life continued. The head coach saw his side come from a goal down to take the lead before scoring a late winner.

It was ultimately Matheus Cunha's long range strike that won a five goal thriller with Wenger giving Carrick his dues having seen the ex-Middlesbrough boss preside over an effective turnaround since being hired.

Regarding his former side he suggested that their games had been decided by "fighting on the corner" with the Gunners often turning to set pieces - which served them well for their second goal - whilst the Frenchman also saw a new side to their central defenders

Wenger said on BeIn Sports : "When you concede three goals at home it's difficult to win. The goals scored on both sides illustrated a little bit the way the two teams played.

"The games of Man United they are well built up, good cohesion, and the games of Arsenal were more decided by power and fighting on the corner, for example with the second goal. The first goal, as well, was not clean play. They gave everything Arsenal but lacked a bit, as I said in the first half, the patience and technical cohesion."

He went on to add: "I believe that Carrick has found a good formula that is a good balance between defensive stability and a good technical level. It's the first time I felt the [Arsenal] centre backs were a bit more nervous and less dominant than usually in the games."

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The win opens up the title race with City's win on Saturday meaning they're just four points behind. The same can be said about Aston Villa in third, who won at Newcastle on Sunday. Arsenal have picked up just two points from their last three outings, allowing the gap to shrink.

They still need to play Pep Guardiola's side later this year and, as they look to end a run of three successive second place finishes, there is talk of nerves setting in for the north Londoners with questions being asked.

"They are still four points clear, but there are still questions about the mental strength of the team," said former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira on Sky Sports .

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