Wenger bemoans lack of luck

Arsene Wenger bemoaned his side's lack of fortune after Arsenal lost 3-0 at home to Middlesbrough.  

Brazilian duo Edu and Silvinho both put through their own net for the Gunners in the first half.

And Hamilton Ricard clinched the most unlikely of wins for Boro after the interval.

"Everything seemed to go against us - but that can happen when your concentration is not right," said the Gunners boss.

"I don't think it was a case that we had our minds so much on Tuesday's Champions League game in Valencia but we were just not right in our play.

"We had two own goals and conceded three in the end and that's not encouraging when you are facing a tough away game on Tuesday. At least it means we should be on our toes for that now.

"I took Edu off at half-time because it was all too much for him. He didn't play at his true level.

"He's very down and you can understand that but he was very unlucky, not only with the goal but some of his passes."

Arsenal's defeat left Manchester United 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership and means the title will stay at Old Trafford for the third successive season.

But Wenger added: "That doesn't hurt me so much now because we had already accepted that the title race was over. It was gone even before we lost 6-1 at United two months ago.

"What hurt me most was in November when we were nearly on level points with United but slipped up to some bad defeats in that month.

"I've not been worried about the championship for some time. My worry is finishing second in the table and now that looks much more difficult.

"We could have gone seven points clear of third place today but now the gap is only four and Leeds, Liverpool and Ipswich can all still catch us."