Wenger hails Gunners after Alkmaar rout
ARSENAL vs AZ ALKMAAR (1)
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger hailed his free-flowing side after they all but booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a stylish display.
Two goals from Cesc Fabregas and strikes from Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby ensured the Gunners crept ever closer to reaching the knockout stages for a tenth successive season.
Only a series of freak results will stop Wenger’s men in their tracks now – and that comes as no surprise to the Frenchman, who believes his side are primed for bigger things.
Asked if he felt they were capable of producing something special, Wenger said: “I’ve said that for a long time and we want to show that. Let’s keep this attitude and spirit and we can deliver something special.
“They have a fantastic attitude and great quality and great spirit. I just want to go from strength to strength. I think the team looks more mature, serious when needed and patient.”
In truth, this was a nothing short of a mismatch as the Gunners dazzled last season’s Dutch champions with a masterclass, which could have brought more goals.
The imperious Fabregas broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a shot from just outside the box which crept in at the near post.
Nasri, in only his second start since breaking his leg in July, then doubled the lead just before the break, latching on to Andrei Arshavin’s through-ball, turning inside his marker and slipping the ball into the corner.
Fabregas then struck Arsenal’s third seven minutes into the restart following another Arshavin pass before Diaby made it four after a neat interchange between the Russian and substitute Eduardo.
Jeremain Lens fired a late consolation for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to prevent Wenger’s men celebrating a tenth straight home success this season amid raised eyebrows across the continent.
Wenger hails Gunners after Alkmaar rout
ARSENAL vs AZ ALKMAAR (1)
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger hailed his free-flowing side after they all but booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a stylish display.
Two goals from Cesc Fabregas and strikes from Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby ensured the Gunners crept ever closer to reaching the knockout stages for a tenth successive season.
Only a series of freak results will stop Wenger’s men in their tracks now – and that comes as no surprise to the Frenchman, who believes his side are primed for bigger things.
Asked if he felt they were capable of producing something special, Wenger said: “I’ve said that for a long time and we want to show that. Let’s keep this attitude and spirit and we can deliver something special.
“They have a fantastic attitude and great quality and great spirit. I just want to go from strength to strength. I think the team looks more mature, serious when needed and patient.”
In truth, this was a nothing short of a mismatch as the Gunners dazzled last season’s Dutch champions with a masterclass, which could have brought more goals.
The imperious Fabregas broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a shot from just outside the box which crept in at the near post.
Nasri, in only his second start since breaking his leg in July, then doubled the lead just before the break, latching on to Andrei Arshavin’s through-ball, turning inside his marker and slipping the ball into the corner.
Fabregas then struck Arsenal’s third seven minutes into the restart following another Arshavin pass before Diaby made it four after a neat interchange between the Russian and substitute Eduardo.
Jeremain Lens fired a late consolation for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to prevent Wenger’s men celebrating a tenth straight home success this season amid raised eyebrows across the continent.