Arsenal star warns slow-starting Gunners after Liverpool draw

Thursday, January 31, 2013
3:13 PM

German striker Lukas Podolski accepts Arsenal cannot continue to gift teams a head start if they are to fight their way back into the top four of the Premier League.

Arsenal were behind after just six minutes against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium last night, when a comedy of errors at the back allowed Luis Suarez to sweep home. When Jordan Henderson waltzed through the Arsenal rearguard once again to knock in a second goal on the hour, there looked only one outcome.

However, Arsenal again showed their superb attacking qualities as first Olivier Giroud headed in a free-kick before Theo Walcott blasted an angled drive past Jose Reina to level, and the home side then had chances to go on and take all three points.

Manager Arsene Wenger felt his side were “too nervous” at the back, and Podolski understands the collective need for firing on all cylinders right from kick-off.

“It is a problem in the last matches that we are losing a goal and then coming from behind,” the German said.

“We must start strong from the first minute and score the first goal.

“In the last few weeks that has always been the problem, that we have to fight and come back.

“However, when you are 2-0 down and you come back like against Liverpool it feels like three points, and this is the way we have been playing recently.”