Arsenal 5-1 West Ham
Wenger’s post game quotes:
on getting the performance he wanted…
Yes, we got a good response. I felt that having watched the game again against Chelsea that our second half was very interesting. In the continuity we played alright tonight. In the first half we controlled the game but West Ham were dangerous on the counter-attack and from set-pieces. We got punished.
In the second half from the start on we created chance after chance and played at a very high pace. From there on it was great movement, great quality in our final balls and in our combination play. Until Potts got injured of course, after that it was a bit the end of the game because we played 11 against 10 and it was 5-1. The end was a bit less entertaining.
on the players taking responsibility…
I never felt that the players didn’t know how important it is. I was more worried that they are a bit sometimes inhibited in the recent big games from the start on. But this team has a fantastic mentality and good quality, that’s what we want to show until the end of the season now.
on Lukas Podolski…
He had an outstanding game tonight. He scored a very important goal. He has an unbelievable shot because the keeper had no chance. After he gave of course two great balls as well. What is new for us is that we scored on a corner! It was a bit unusual.
on going 1-0 down…
Yes, at 1-0 down, if you concede the second goal [it can go the other way]. But it was a bit a repetition of the game at West Ham. We were 1-0 down as well and won 3-1. But the Premier League is like that. Everybody can score against everybody and everybody is in trouble as soon as you are not at your best.
on whether he was concerned in the first half…
Yes, I thought it was an interesting test at that moment. But we kept going and we always looked like… I could not predict that we would score five goals, but what was vital for us was to equalise before half-time and then see if West Ham could maintain their control of us. They marked us man to man in the middle of the park so I hoped they would have trouble to do that until the end.
on whether it was Podolski’s best game…
He had a very strong game at West Ham as well. Certainly today it was his most efficient game because I felt he took responsibility at the moment when we needed him. With a player of his experience you expect him to do that. I have plenty of candidates [to play through the centre] but I believe still this is his best position [on the left].
on Thomas Vermaelen…
Vermaelen has an ankle problem. He got kicked and twisted a little bit. He is a doubt for Saturday but it is nothing major.
on potential signings…
No [I have nothing to tell you]. That is why I have to shorten the press conference – I have to do some work!
