We Lacked Authority, Admits Wenger

A first half goal from defender Brede Hangeland was enough to win the game for the Cottagers and allow them to record only their second ever Premier League win over Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger’s side were overrun in midfield with Jimmy Bullard and Danny Murphy outperforming Arsenal’s midfield pairing of Emmanuel Eboue and Denilson. Wenger admitted as much and blamed a poor start for Arsenal’s defeat. He said: “We need to start games with more authority if we want to stay at the top.”
The Gunners clearly missed the influential Cesc Fabregas and whilst Wenger was disappointed to lose the match he did admit that the home side had performed well. Wenger confessed: “It is harsh to lose the game but it is fair to say Fulham played well.”
The Arsenal manager also pointed to the midfield as to where the game was won and lost, a position Arsenal are lacking in numbers having lost Matthieu Flamini, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb this summer. Wenger confessed: “They were sharp and didn't allow us enough chances to win the game. In the midfield we were dominated. We weren't sharp or quick enough and we suffered in there.”
Arsenal need to put the disappointment of this defeat aside quickly as they face FC Twente in midweek in the second leg of their Champions League qualifying tie. The Gunners hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg.