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Arsene Wenger was delighted with Arsenal's battling qualities after
they enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hull at the Emirates
Stadium.
Goals from Denilson's sublime free-kick, Eduardo and Abou
Diaby moved Arsenal back into third place in the Premier League.
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia also deserved much credit
when he saved Geovanni's second-half penalty with the home side 1-0
in front.
"We had to fight," said Wenger. "It took us some time to get
into the game and to find the pace.
"We didn't look very fresh in the first half. But we got in
front in the second half, and if there was a turning it was the
penalty they missed.
"The penalty looked really, really harsh but we scored
straight away a second goal and had plenty of chances after that.
"We scored the first goal just before half-time and they had
to come out in the second half.
"In the first-half they played in their half and were well
organised and closed us down. We had to respond physically and we
had a good response today.
"Denilson is not a free-kick specialist. He took it well. I
thought he wanted to cross but he scored. It changed the game."
Denilson's opener came just after players from both teams
were embroiled in a mass confrontation - sparked by Samir Nasri's
off-the-ball tangle with Richard Garcia.
Hull's Stephen Hunt then clashed with Nasri and referee Steve
Bennett booked both players when order was restored. The feud
appeared to continue in the tunnel as the players left the pitch
but Wenger denied anything untoward had gone on.
"It was difficult to see he stamped on the foot," said
Wenger. "But if he had gone, a player from Hull would have gone as
well. Nothing happened in the tunnel."
Wenger also had some kinds words for Mark Hughes after his
dismissal as manager at Manchester City.
"It is very sad when a manager loses his job," added Wenger.
"It is always a sad day when you are not given the time. From the
outside it looks surprising and sad."
Hull boss Phil Brown was convinced Nasri should have been
sent off.
He said: "We asked for a good performance for our lads and we
got that. You hope to catch Arsenal on an off day and we didn't get
that - they played very well. And you want the referee to get the
major decisions right and we didn't get that either.
"I have got genuine players. They are solidly behind the
campaign at Hull. Richard Garcia is an honest lad. If Nasri gets
booked, why did he get booked? I need to know that one.
"If it is an off-the-ball incident, having given a free-kick,
I cannot see any reason for him going and stamping on Richard. He
doesn't go down easily. He is a proper man.
"The key factors of the game where the free-kick just before
half-time. It is a free shot at our goal and it ends up in the net
and changes the whole complexity of the game.
"The referee saw a tug of the shirt for the penalty.
Silvestre pulled Craig Fagan's shirt. We missed the penalty and
they go up and score a second and in effect it is game over. But we
did not give in and I was quite proud of the performance."
Brown was also surprised by the departure of Hughes at
Manchester City.
"It just shows how amazing the Premier League is," said
Brown. "To have a mouthwatering Carling Cup semi-final against
Manchester United, I thought, would have kept Mark certainly in the
job as long as he needs to be.
"They have only been beaten twice this season but obviously
the owners have decided on a change of plan."
