Hull hell is all part of learning curve, says 'sick' Wenger

Six weeks into the season and Arsenal have already suffered two league losses following their unexpected reverse at home to humble Hull City, writes Jem Maidment. Arsenal only lost three times in their entire Premier League last season. They finished thir

Six weeks into the season and Arsenal have already suffered two league losses following their unexpected reverse at home to humble Hull City, writes Jem Maidment.

Arsenal only lost three times in their entire Premier League last season. They finished third.

For any realistic chance of maintaining a credible title challenge, they must brush themselves down and win every game before their first clash of the season with another member of the Big Four, on 8 November when they entertain Manchester United.

The call from Arsene Wenger is for maximum focus in the coming weeks.

"I think we are more solid than ever when we are completely switched on," he said. "But at the moment I am not sure we can focus all the time in every single game, especially when we think the game will be easy.

"In the past we have been beaten physically, we have been intimidated.

"We know we can deal with that now but we are sometimes a bit too confident in the home games when we need to put some effort in.

"Hull is a good learning curve because you cannot get worse than that. It shows we are not completely there on the mental side and that is where we have to work."

And for a manager who admits privately he can sink into a mini-depression after a defeat, he made it abundantly clear Saturday was one of his darkest days at the club, 12th anniversary or not.

"There is nothing to celebrate," he moaned.