Wenger explains Giroud substitution after angry reaction from Arsenal fans

Arsene Wenger defended his decision to take Olivier Giroud off after Arsenal were reduced to 10 men against Chelsea.

Gunners boss Wenger responded to the sending-off of skipper Per Mertesacker by replacing forward Giroud with defender Gabriel – a change which provoked an angry response from the home fans.

Seconds later, Costa drifted in front of Gabriel to score what turned out to be the winner.

“I make the decision and it was quite a normal decision,” Wenger said.

“We had to go long distances (because they were down to 10 men) and we needed pace to go from one (end) to the other and needed pace to get forward.

“The fact is we needed to get strength on the counter-attack and needed pace. That is why I made the decision.”

The result means Chelsea are now unbeaten in nine league matches against Wenger’s side.

But the Frenchman insisted: “Today was a special game. We couldn’t play with our team.

“There is nothing more dangerous than when you are having to chase the game with 10 men.”