Francis Coquelin has praised the character of the Arsenal team after the 4-1 win over Hull at the weekend.
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“At the moment, they are the better team as well as the most consistent”, he said. “We have to play catch up a little bit, but hopefully we can do that”. ‘But it’s only five games played.
Even at this early stage, they enjoy a five-point advantage over the Gunners, who must wait until they travel to the Etihad Stadium in December to test themselves against a side already being talked of as Champions-elect.
The boss added he was pleased with the way the team saw out the match in the second half, despite a late rally from the 10-man hosts.
It is not lost on the manager, who refused to blame the club’s home support, but acknowledged life on the road is good.
The Gunners have reeled off three straight league wins for the first time this year and scored seven goals in their last two away games. Referee East pointed to the spot and sent Livermore off, much to the former Tottenham man’s shock and the home fans’ chagrin.
He believes the aftershocks of the seismic opening day 4-3 defeat to Liverpool are still being felt in north London.
“I think so. Maybe in the time gone we might have been bullied in these sorts of games, but everyone was physically strong and we’re getting better, stronger and fitter in each game now”.
Arsenal began well and on 17 minutes Walcott’s cross was palmed into Alex Iwobi’s path by Eldin Jakupovic inside the box.
Wenger sees no reason why Iwobi can’t scale the heights his uncle Jay Jay Okocha did for Bolton.
‘He’s a good example!’ he said. “What I like is his love for the game, his passion for the game and his hard work”.
“I think it was Mo (Elneny) who passed him the ball so I can’t claim the assist, but I’ll take a bit of it”.
‘My wife!’ the Lancastrian said.
He spent yesterday going through the two-year contract offered to him last Thursday.
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Phelan is expecting to sign the deal, despite the Tigers ongoing takeover continuing to drag like a seal’s backside. They have always had the ability to crush inferior opposition while making it look like a training session.
