Progress pleases Wenger
16 Sep 2007 - 11:41:40
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his team is "blossoming" in the post Thierry Henry era.
The Gunners had been tipped to struggle this season following the departure of their talismanic skipper to Barcelona during the summer.
But speaking after Saturday's 3-1 derby victory over Tottenham which moved them to the top of the Premier League table, Wenger revealed his delight at his side's impressive start to the new season.
"I was optimistic we could start the season well. I thought it was very important to do that," he told the club's official website.
"We needed to strengthen the belief in the side after Thierry left.
"We have not forgotten Thierry. But we have shown that the team is blossoming and growing. That was planned but you never know how fast it will happen."
The Gunners were trailing 1-0 at half-time and Wenger hailed the resolve of his side after they hit back in the second period at White Hart Lane.
"I was very pleased with the quality of our game and the mental strength we showed - as well as the togetherness," he continued.
"I could not fault the team at half-time. I thought we had played well but we just had not taken the chances.
"I thought that if we kept the pace high in the game like we did that we'd have a good chance to win the game."
Meanwhile, Wenger has confirmed that injured trio William Gallas, Emmanuel Eboue and Jens Lehmann will all miss Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Sevilla.
