“We have a game that is based on shorter passes than other teams so sometimes you have a player who can kick the longer ball gives us a chance to get some oxygen and some space”. In the second half he dropped physically.
Advertisement
This, then, was the ideal tonic – a promising performance and result, albeit against opponents they really should overpower – required heading into the global break.
He added: “I think overall the performance was a strong one”.
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech was pleased with the Gunners’ first half performance at Watford on Saturday.
The good news on Monreal caps an excellent few days for the club as not only did we secure our first three points of the new season with a 3-1 win at Watford, but we’re set to splash out over £50m on two important signings.
“I think what we have seen from him today is what we want from him”, Wenger said after the win at Vicarage Road. To give assists but as well to score goals.
“We paid a heavy price in our first game (the 4-3 defeat by Liverpool) because we were not ready”.
“Now Mesut is almost there, not completely, but he just goes again”.
And the 23-year-old is certain to play a central role for Wenger’s side as they look to mount a sustained title challenge.
Wenger, who looks certain to add Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi and Deportivo La Caruna striker Lucas Perez to his ranks in the coming days, likened Xhaka to a former Arsenal favourite and revealed the club had made a move for him previous year.
This, then, was just the performance and outcome required before the Gunners head into the global break.
Wenger believes that they will only get better after the worldwide break when they return to optimum physical levels and will be able to bridge the five-point gap at the top of the league, with Chelsea and Manchester United having chalked up wins in their first three games. “I believe in hard work and that will get us results”.
“He’s a great player, we have a lot of players in this position, great players like Coquelin, Elneny, Jack Wilshere”.
Advertisement
We can hardly argue, given our stuttering start to the term, but on the defensive side, who could have predicted those two late injuries we received?
