Source: Eurosport
Arsenal start is no fluke, insists Wenger
LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger expects Arsenal to use this week's showdowns with Celtic and Manchester United to prove their superb start to the season is no fluke.
The Gunners have confounded critics who wrote off their title hopes by thrashing Everton 6-1, then winning at Celtic in the Champions League and drubbing Portsmouth 4-1 on Saturday.
They face Celtic again in the second leg of their European play-off on Wednesday and travel to Old Trafford to take on reigning champions Manchester United on Saturday.
Wenger insists his young side's morale is sky-high now and he has no doubts they can keep the momentum going.
"We have had a brilliant start. It should create confidence and momentum," Wenger said.
"We now go into another week which will be another test against Celtic and then Manchester United. It looks to be exciting and interesting."
French midfielder Abou Diaby, brought into the team for his 100th Arsenal appearance, opened the scoring in the 18th minute from Eduardo's pass.
Diaby converted Emmanuel Eboue's cross for his second goal three minutes later but Portsmouth reduced the deficit when Younes Kaboul, out-jumping keeper Manuel Almunia, headed home in the 37th minute.
Any hopes of a fightback from Paul Hart's team were ended in the 51st minute through William Gallas's scrambled effort.
Aaron Ramsey confirmed Portsmouth's third successive defeat in the 68th minute with his first league goal for Wenger's team.
United made amends for their humbling by Burnley as Wayne Rooney's double and Michael Owen's first goal for the Premier League champions inspired a 5-0 win at Wigan.
Sir Alex Ferguson reacted to Wednesday's shock 1-0 loss at promoted Burnley by making seven changes and the United manager was rewarded with a superb second half display.
It took the revamped United line-up a while to find their rhythm but, after a goalless first half, Rooney struck in the 56th minute when he met a cross from former Wigan winger Antonio
Valenica with a perfect header.
That was Rooney's 100th goal for United and it opened the floodgates.
Dimitar Berbatov put United in complete control in the 58th minute. The Bulgarian finished a flowing move by chipping over Chris Kirkland and shooting into an empty net.
Rooney ended any doubts about the result in the 65th minute when his shot deflected off Mario Melchiot and flashed past the wrong-footed Kirkland.
Owen, signed from Newcastle in the close-season, came off the bench to score for the first time since January with a sublime clipped finish.
Nani, who set up Owen's goal, got on the scoresheet himself in the 90th minute.
"You have to react to a defeat, that's always the challenge," Ferguson said. "We got a reaction, I thought our performance was really good.
"It's great for Wayne to get 100 goals. He's only a young lad and there are players who have been here longer who have got nowhere near that total.
"I'm pleased for Michael as well. He needed a goal, but he's one of the best finishers our country has had."
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor repaid another slice of his 25 million pounds transfer fee as the Togo star's cool finish sealed a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton at Eastlands.
Adebayor converted a pass from fellow newboy Carlos Tevez and City boss Mark Hughes said: "It is important that your strikers get up and running.
"I am quite pleased with their partnership. There is a natural respect from both guys in terms of what each other can produce and they are starting to get to know each other a lot better."
Trinidad and Tobago forward Kenwyne Jones scored twice to fire
Sunderland to a 2-1 victory over Blackburn.
Hull won for the first time in 13 league matches as Algeria striker Kamel Ghilas's first goal for the club earned a 1-0 victory over Bolton at the KC Stadium.
Stoke recovered from their midweek thrashing by Liverpool by grinding out a 0-0 draw at Birmingham.
