Arsene Wenger's e-mail about lost from Stoke City

Wenger: We looked physically jaded at Stoke

Dear Supporter,

Saturday was a game where we had a lot of possession, but Stoke defended very well and were well organised. We were not sharp enough to create chances and conceded two goals on two throw-ins. They fought for every ball and they waited for their set-pieces.

Rory Delap was an influence even though we had a plan to deal with his throw-ins and we had worked on it. They fly into the box and it is difficult with 20 people in there. That sort of thing is not our greatest strength. We were punished and I believe we were unlucky as well.

People who love the traditional English game would have been happy because they got what they liked on Saturday. It was a traditional game with a lot of fight and commitment. And at the end of the day Stoke deserved to win the game.

I believe we tried very hard and I think Stoke are sharp at the moment while we look jaded physically. At the moment we play a lot games and we suffer a little a bit because of that. It isn't a confidence issue but we gave a lot on Wednesday against Spurs. We play again in midweek and that is why, in the repetition of games, if you don't score first you can suffer.

The result was not the only bad news from Saturday. Robin van Persie was sent off and I think that his red card was very, very harsh. He shouldn't have challenged the goalkeeper like that but I don't think it was a red card.

We have injuries too, very bad ones to Adebayor and Walcott. One or two have knocks as well, like Sagna. Saturday was the kind of game where if you are a little bit short on sharpness, you are less agile and get out of tackles less quickly.

Thanks for your support.

Arsène Wenger