English Premier League – Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa
Arsene Wenger reacts after the impressive win:
on the win…
We scored goals and didn’t concede. Our offensive game was good even though I believe we had some weaker periods in the game when Aston Villa were in possession. We always looked dangerous when we got [in between] their lines and defensively we were sound as well. Overall it’s a positive day for us. I feel a bit for Villa because they gave a lot and fought very hard. Maybe it will be difficult for them but they were caught in the last 20 minutes because they were tired. The second goal was a blow for them but overall they did fight.
on hitting form at the right time…
I would say yes, you are right. That shows as well that we have maybe found a better consistency. That will be very important until the end [of the season]. Let’s show that we can win more and it shows you as well that when the confidence level is higher and when everybody’s back defensively, it makes a difference. Defensive stability is vital – when you don’t have that, you suffer.
on whether Alexis was close to playing at all…
He was not very close today. I’m pleased that many players scored goals and I’m also pleased that we scored goals that were not only sheer power. We were placing the ball and that shows that you do not always need to hit the ball like mad to score a goal. Mesut Ozil showed that, Hector Bellerin showed that. These kinds of goals are more down to technique than power.
on Mesut Ozil’s performance…
It’s always, ‘where does he play? On the left, in the middle?’. I think he still lacks a little bit of competitive edge on sharpness but the quality of his game is exceptional and he’s getting back now. He worked very, very hard physically and he’s now ready to play again.
on Theo Walcott’s first Premier League goal in 14 months…
I still feel he can score a goal in every game. In his overall game I still think he needs some more sharpness and more contact. He’s a very intelligent player and the quality of Theo’s game is about the quality of his movement, the quality of his receptions, where he gets the ball. He knows where to be dangerous and when he’s in front of goal he can score. I was quite surprised because in the first half he was through but then Jores Okore caught up with him and I think that once he’s through, you know that nobody can catch him. Okore must be very quick!
on the title race…
It’s too early to say [that Arsenal can still have a say]. We are 11 points behind – that means they need to lose four games and we need to win four. I believe that we should try to be consistent and see what happens. I told you, you asked me my predictions [for the Chelsea v Manchester City game]. I said a draw and I was not wrong because Chelsea had one shot on target and Manchester City three or four. It was a draw.
on Walcott needing ‘contact’…
He needs to get used to contact. Physical contact. In every game he is stronger now.
on Walcott’s confidence…
I would agree [that Walcott intercepted a pass not intended for him when he scored]. He wanted it and once you’re 3-0 up and you take the strikers off, they all want to stay on because they want to score more goals. I believe that he is so quick and he understands football. In the final third he’s always dangerous.
on whether he will be busy on deadline day…
I don’t think I will be busy. We have done what we wanted and unless there is a huge surprise and somebody calls me – not the journalists, an agent – then why not? At the moment, nothing, it’s very quiet.
on whether there will be any outgoings…
No.
on having a selection headache…
Yes of course but my job is about selection. Sometimes, no matter who you select, you can be wrong. No matter who you select, you can be right as well when you have the quality. You cannot really be wrong because all the players have the quality to play.
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