Wenger: United stroll gives Arsenal belief

Ian Watson
Alexis Sanchez Arsenal TEAMtalk

Alexis Sanchez: Scores Arsenal's opener against United

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal’s demolition of Manchester United was a “statement” of their character and title credentials.

A brace from Alexis Sanchez either side of a Mesut Ozil strike killed off United inside the opening 20 minutes at the Emirates.

Arsenal leapfrog United into second place in the Premier League table having provided the perfect response to criticism of their Champions League performance in midweek.

Wenger bristled this week when asked about the choice to leave Petr Cech out of the starting line-up in Tuesday’s shock 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos – a result Arsenal bounced back from impressively.

“I’ve been at the club for 19 years and I know what you want is a strong response in a big game when you have a big disappointment,” Wenger said.

“But we (took it in) perspective and focused on what is important. It’s us and not too much what was said and we focused on what is important in the game and that is part of being at the top level.

“The pressure on any disappointment today is massive and it’s maybe a little bit more difficult to deal with it but we did well.”

Ozil, Theo Walcott and Sanchez were amongst the standout performers for Arsenal, with Wenger downplaying the latter’s injury as a “little groin problem”.

However, there was certainly no talking down the importance of a result that puts them two points off leaders City.

“To win in a big game is always a statement,” Wenger said.

“We are in it, we are two points off the league leaders, Manchester City, so I hope that result today will give us belief to fight for it.”