Arsene Wenger says Arsenal could not afford to lose north London derby to Tottenham

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal could not afford to lose north London derby to Tottenham Spurs got the better of their neighbours as Kane headed home after half-time to secure a 1-0 Wembley victory which moved the hosts seven points clear of the Gunners in the Premier League table. Arsenal could be eight points off the top four, and a return to the Champions League, if results go against them over the weekend.Tottenham had dominated the match, wasting numerous chances to put the game to bed after Harry Kane’s header saw the hosts took the lead on 49 minutes. But fortunately for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, Lacazette fired his shot wide of the post and the full-time whistle was blown shortly later. After an even opening 45 minutes at Wembley, Tottenham started the second-half on the front foot and took the lead as Ben Davies found Kane to head home from close-range.   It’s a game we couldn’t afford to lose, of course,” manager Wenger said. “That makes it much more difficult now but we have to fight for as long as we have a mathematical chance. There was more at stake than just the derby. That’s why it’s so disappointing to lose the game in the way we lost it. “I think the game should have been finished at half-time for me. We missed opportunities on counter-attacks that are not missable at our level.Asked if he agreed with Keown’s criticism, Wenger replied: ‘I don’t think they lack hunger to defend. ‘They got caught by a super striker who is one of the best in the world. He scores against everybody.   “In the second half, we should have lost the game by more than one goal at the start of the second half. We were destabilised by the goal they scored and they had two or three more opportunities that they could have scored.” Manchester United finished outside the top four last season but secured a return to the Champions League courtesy of winning the Europa League.‘I believe as well that once they scored their goal that played a part. Overall football is about scoring goals. ‘You can say we’re not strong enough defensively – but we also don’t score enough if you look at the top six.   Arsenal are in that competition this term and could repeat the feat achieved by United, with their round-of-32 tie against Ostersunds next up. But Wenger maintains he wants to get back into Europe’s elite club competition through the league, rather than putting all of his hopes on a successful Europa League campaign. “It’s too early,” the Frenchman replied when asked if Arsenal had to see the Europa League as their only way of qualifying for the Champions League. Football is not about switching off for three games and then switching it on for one game. Manchester United decided (to focus on the Europa League) once they were in the semi-final. “We are far from the semi-final and we have to fight to have a chance to come back. For me, it’s a very disappointing result because the priority has to be to get into the Champions League from the Premier League]]>