Players' reaction after Gunners defeat

Last updated : 17 August 2008 By Wba-mad Editor

Paul Robinson: "We showed in the second half what we can do as a team.

"In the first half, we maybe showed them a bit too much respect but in the second half we definitely came out and gave them a game.

"The Premier League is tough but overall I felt we did enough to get a point.

"Against world class players you can't afford to make a mistake otherwise they will punish you.

"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves and we can hold our heads up high.

"We just have to keep going now throughout the season.

"We're a lot more organised than the last time we were in the Premier League.

"And you have to be organised in this league.

"You have to keep your shape and break on the opposition when they lose the ball but be careful not to leave gaps.

"The main thing is we've got a good bunch of lads, a great team spirit and we'll keep each other going until the end."

On his effort cleared off the line: "All that was running through my mind was to hit the target.

"I don't normally get that far forward!

"I was in the right place at the right time but it was a good block on the line.

"I was off celebrating but then realised they'd cleared it off the line.

"Had it gone in, I would have had loads of calls off my cousins and Spurs fans patting me on the back."

Captain, Jonathan Greening: "We knew it was going to be a difficult game.

"They came right at us in the first ten minutes and went a goal up.

"After that we did quite well and passed the ball when we could.

"We worked really hard as a team to try and stay in the game and maybe could have sneaked a draw, especially when Robbo's shot was cleared off the line."

"I don't think we showed them too much respect.

"They came flying out of the blocks and that shocked us a little bit so we couldn't find our rhythm.

"After the first ten minutes we got about them a bit better and kept them at bay.

"They were always going to have chances because they've got world class players but I felt we did quite well.

"When they scored early on I thought 'here we go!'

"But the boys showed great team spirit.

"We stuck together, passed the ball when we could, worked hard for each other and battled all the way.

"The gaffer had a word at half-time about getting tighter to them, to squeeze them, try and keep the ball and look for the diagonals for Ishmael to try and get him over the top.

"I think it worked better in the second half and when Roman came on he caused a bit of hassle up front as well.

"As the first game of the season, it was always going to be tough at the Emirates.

"But we did all right.

"The gaffer wanted us to do what we did in the FA Cup semi-final against Portsmouth by showing everyone what a good team we are.

"Apart from the first ten minutes, I don't think we let anyone down."