Wenger lauds Gunners display

Arsenal boss delighted after 3-0 victory

Last updated: 30th August 2008

Arsene Wenger Arsenal

Wenger: Delighted

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Arsene Wenger heaped praise on his Arsenal side following the 3-0 victory over Newcastle.

The Gunners were disappointing in defeat against Fulham last weekend but they returned to form as they put the FC Twente to the sword in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

They were also at their fluent best as they beat the Magpies courtesy of a first-half brace from Robin van Persie and a third from Denilson.

A delighted Wenger said: "I am very pleased with the performance, both offensively and defensively. It was a complete one, there was great balance in the team, with movement.

"Apart from at the start of the second half, we were always in control and played the game we love, and showed the way we can play.

The Arsenal manager added: "The improvement comes from a completely different attitude.

"We showed that against Twente and did it again tonight.

"The Fulham match had come at the start of the season after difficult games, including one away in the Champions League and maybe we were not ready mentally."

Van Persie scare

Van Persie endured an injury-plagued season last term and had to be replaced in the second half with an ankle problem, but the problem is not thought to be serious.

Wenger said: "We do not know yet. He has to have an X-ray on his ankle. Hopefully nothing is broken.

"He is the link between the midfield and the strikers, which is very important in the game we want to play.

"Robin showed that when he is good shape physically, he is a very important player for us."

Wenger will continue his quest to bring in a new midfielder ahead of Monday's midnight deadline.

He said: "We are trying to buy new players, but the problem is always first of all, the availability and also the fact that it's finding players who are better or at least as good as the ones we already have."