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Arsene Wenger praises Arsenal focus after win over Hull

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Arsene Wenger says his side only concentrate on winning matches

Arsene Wenger praised Arsenal's focus after his side ended a run of two consecutive defeats with victory over Hull in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners approached the game at the Emirates 12 points behind league leaders Chelsea, after back-to-back defeats at Watford and Chelsea.

Wenger revealed his side try to ignore the criticism aimed at them after defeats and when asked if his belief had wavered after back-to-back losses, Wenger told Sky Sports: "I believe in the players and every season you have some difficulties."

Arsene Wenger watches Arsenal's home clash with Hull City from the stands
Image: Arsene Wenger watched Arsenal's home clash with Hull City from the stands

"It's always the way you respond, the way you deal with the difficulties. Our job is not to listen too much to what is said and focus on what we are responsible for which is performances on the pitch and the victories.

"Of course when we do not win we feel bad and that's why it's so dangerous to lose two games on the trot."

Alexis Sanchez scored twice to hand Arsenal all three points, but the Chile international appeared to use his arm to turn Eldin Jakupovic's goal-line clearance into the back of the net for the opening goal of the game.

Alexis Sanchez scores for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Hull City at Emirates Stadium.
Image: Sanchez scored a controversial opener

After the match, Hull's Andy Robertson revealed referee Mark Clattenburg apologised to the visiting side for allowing the goal to stand, and Wenger admitted his side might have been slightly fortunate.

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"Maybe," he said when asked if his side had got lucky. "I'm sorry for that but I cannot influence it.

The ball bounces off Alexis Sanchez's hand as Arsenal take a controversial lead against Hull
Image: The ball bounced off Sanchez's hand for his first goal

"I didn't see it as well from the stand."

On what was a nervous afternoon at the Emirates, Sanchez made the points safe deep into injury time, converting from the spot after Sam Clucas, who was sent off, had blocked Lucas Perez's goal-bound shot with his arm.

Wenger added: "I've been at this club long enough to know that when you lose two games there will be an edgy atmosphere because you have a heavy week behind you.

"As a player you have to cope with that here. I felt we were resilient and focused but played with a few nerves. You could see that and even our crowd was nervous.

"On top of that it wasn't easy because we played against a good side. As long as we couldn't score the second goal we were under threat from them to come back."

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