Rafa rocked by Arsh

RAFA BENITEZ got another Arsh lesson after Arsene Wenger's half-time rocket re-ignited Arsenal's season.
Gunners boss Wenger tore into his shell-shocked side at the break after they had been totally outplayed and trailed to a Dirk Kuyt strike.

But a Glen Johnson own goal and Andrey Arshavin's thunderbolt shot the Gunners back into the title race and piled the pressure on Kop chief Benitez.

RAFAS' REGRET ...Benitez reflects on another costly defeat for Liverpool

He has now seen his side manage just three wins in FIFTEEN games.

Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas revealed: "The boss screamed. He was really disappointed with us in the first half, I've never seen him like that before.

"He said we didn't deserve to wear the Arsenal shirt and he was right because we really weren't good, we weren't up for it.

"But that gave us a boost and the second half was one of the best second halves we have played this season."

Defender Thomas Vermaelen said: "I've never seen the manager like that before, but we reacted to it very well.

"Now we've closed the gap a little more and I think we are back in the race."

Wenger himself was less willing to reveal what had been said at half-time but was delighted with the effect it had.

The Gunners chief insisted: "I don't like to talk about what was said at half time but it's nice to think that I can still surprise them after 13 years.

"Very rarely do I get annoyed. I always try to be composed. I thought I was today too!"

Liverpool boss Benitez admits his side are short on confidence.

The Reds are now in seventh place, 13 points off the top and only 10 from the relegation zone!

Benitez said: "We were without any confidence when we were passing the ball, it's not a question of quality.

"Maybe we needed to score the second and have a clear advantage because you could see after the own goal in the second half that everything was different."

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