Wenger slams Arsenal's defending after capitulation

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Anderlecht during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in London November 4, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

STRONG POSITION

Second-placed Arsenal are still in a strong position to qualify for the last 16, having seven points with two games to play, five more than third-placed Anderlecht who they beat 2-1 rather fortuitously a fortnight ago in Brussels.

"Overall we got four points from the two games. We are well paid for the two performances," Wenger said.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, working as a Sky Sports pundit, was not being hoodwinked though.

"If I'm being honest I think they're tactically clueless," he said. "How you can be 3-0 up and attacking. This is not the first time, this happens a lot of times.

"You're playing with international footballers. These are not little kids."

For all of Arsenal's defensive deficiencies - meaning they will almost certainly finish runners-up to Borussia Dortmund, who have 12 points, and face a daunting last-16 tie -- Anderlecht's display should not be ignored.

But for a late meltdown at home against the London side they would have been right in the mix to qualify.

"I'm a young coach and I hope I will be here for a long time but this will stay in my memory," Anderlecht manager Besnik Hasi told reporters. "Maybe (Arsenal) thought that they were superior at that moment and they could have fun with the public.

"But I'm very very proud of my team and they showed today their character and their quality. They did fantastic today."

Asked if Vanden Borre's first goal should have been flagged offside, he added: "It wasn't lucky, I don't care!"