Arsene Wenger hailed the new-found maturity of his young Arsenal
side after they overcame the sending off of defender Thomas
Vermaelen to battle back to the top of the Barclays Premier League
with a 2-0 win over struggling West Ham.
Brazilian midfielder Denilson fired the Gunners in front
after only five minutes as they looked to leapfrog Manchester
United and Chelsea, who do not play until Sunday.
However, Vermaelen was deemed to have been the last man when
he pulled down Guillermo Franco, and was shown a straight red card
by referee Martin Atkinson.
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, however, saved Alessandro
Diamanti's penalty and captain Cesc Fabregas - back from a injury
lay-off - made it 2-0 with nine minutes left from the same spot
following a handball by Matthew Upson.
"I believe we had an outstanding game," Wenger declared.
"We played with class and spirit and we kept our nerve when
the situation became difficult, so overall we have shown a good
attitude, good maturity, and in the important moments in any
department we were decisive.
"Everybody adapted very well to the situation and technically
I believe we were outstanding today."
Wenger was left fuming by Atkinson's decision at the time,
which rules Vermaelen out of the next game at Birmingham - leaving
Arsenal short at centre-back.
"I felt it was very harsh," he said.
"We have seen this situation so many times in the game
without it being punished at all."
The Gunners could, of course, be back down to third should
both United and Chelsea, but after another brave display, Wenger's
youngsters remain very much in the hunt for a first title since the
Invincibles campaign of 2003/2004.
Wenger said: "We are not under any special pressure because
we are beyond expectation.
"We want to win the trophy because we are all conscious we
have won nothing yet - the hunger is there, the talent is there and
I think the nerves are there.
"All we can do is rely on the other results of the other
teams, so the only thing we can do is master our own results.
"We have a good chance to do it this year. It will be
exciting, tight and the response we gave today in the second half
was very important in future games." Arsene Wenger hailed the
new-found maturity of his young Arsenal side after they overcame
the sending off of defender Thomas Vermaelen to battle back to the
top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win over struggling
West Ham.
