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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at half-time last night. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Pressure builds for under-fire Arsene Wenger but Gunners boss blames poor finishing for cup exit

Arsenal were dumped out by Bradford last night.

ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger has defended his players after their penalty shoot-out defeat to Bradford City in the Capital One Cup.

But Wenger admitted last night’s exit from the cup competition stemmed in part from Arsenal’s poor finishing.

The Gunners were defeated 3-2 on penalties after three players missed their spot kicks, and the Frenchman blamed his side’s inability to convert their chances for their defeat.

“I must congratulate Bradford, they had a good start then defended well,” Wenger told Sky Sports. ”What happened, happened with the penalty shoot-out. We had many chances, the goalkeeper had a good game and we could not convert them.

“There was no lack of quality, we did not convert our chances for different reasons. It was a real cup game.”

Wenger did reserve some praise for the home side, who defended resolutely for the whole game and made life difficult for Arsenal throughout.

“We lost on penalties against a team that defended well,” he said. ”I cannot fault the effort of the team. They gave everything, but credit to Bradford, it is part of the game. When you go out of a cup, it is never good enough for Arsenal.”

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Dec 12th 2012, 11:26 AM

    at least arsene is loyal to his players , in public unlike mr. mancini

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    Mute Ronan Brady
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    Dec 12th 2012, 3:17 PM

    Should have put out the second team in this pointless cup, you cant expect 1st team players to risk serious injury in this kind of match, and be out for the season.

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    Mute Gavin Mckenna
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    Dec 12th 2012, 6:06 PM

    And if a Sky 4.. sorry I mean a Top 4 club does go on to win it its less of a mickey mouse cup. non sense. Arsenal under estimated the opposition and paid the price. a player can be enjoyed in any game. not solely the cup games.

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