Wenger happy with stunning win
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted with his team's stunning performance in their 3-0 defeat of Liverpool at Emirates stadium.
The Gunners had suffered a difficult spell of late with home draws against Everton and CSKA Moscow followed by a defeat at West Ham which saw manager Arsene Wenger involved in a touchline bust-up with Alan Pardew.
But there were no such problems today with goals from Mathieu Flamini, Kolo Toure and William Gallas securing a sixth Premiership win and closing the gap on leaders Manchester United to 10 points with a game in hand.
"We needed a reaction," said Wenger. "Seasons are decided by the quality of response your team can give after an unexpected and bit unlucky defeat at West Ham.
"I knew today would be an important game for my team for the season.
"We played against a good Liverpool side and the first goal made the difference."
The Reds have now lost five Premiership matches and are yet to win away but Wenger insisted the loss had not ended their title aspirations.
He added: "No, because you have to take into consideration they have very good home form.
"They have played at Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton, which for them are the most four difficult matches."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to focus any further ahead than putting things right at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
"I am clear, we are thinking about the next game and not about the title," he said.
"We have to start winning away to move closer so we cannot think of anything else.
"It is clear that the away form is not good enough and we have to improve."
Benitez added: "We lost confidence and against a good side with quality players we had to leave space for counter-attacks and that is bad.
"Sometimes you think something but occasionally you have to go back and admit things are not working.
"We have played some good games this season but away from home we are not doing it.
"I am not looking for excuses. The situation is clear; we want to improve and we have to improve. But it is the team needs to improve, I am not going to talk about individual players."
Benitez played Steven Gerrard on the right of midfield with Bolo Zenden preferred in the middle despite the absence of the injured Mohamed Sissoko.
"I have explained 100 times before why he plays on the right side," Benitez added.
"Against Birmingham [in the Carling Cup] Bolo Zenden was man of the match and I decided our side today was the best way to balance the team."
The Gunners had suffered a difficult spell of late with home draws against Everton and CSKA Moscow followed by a defeat at West Ham which saw manager Arsene Wenger involved in a touchline bust-up with Alan Pardew.
But there were no such problems today with goals from Mathieu Flamini, Kolo Toure and William Gallas securing a sixth Premiership win and closing the gap on leaders Manchester United to 10 points with a game in hand.
"We needed a reaction," said Wenger. "Seasons are decided by the quality of response your team can give after an unexpected and bit unlucky defeat at West Ham.
"I knew today would be an important game for my team for the season.
"We played against a good Liverpool side and the first goal made the difference."
The Reds have now lost five Premiership matches and are yet to win away but Wenger insisted the loss had not ended their title aspirations.
He added: "No, because you have to take into consideration they have very good home form.
"They have played at Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton, which for them are the most four difficult matches."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to focus any further ahead than putting things right at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
"I am clear, we are thinking about the next game and not about the title," he said.
"We have to start winning away to move closer so we cannot think of anything else.
"It is clear that the away form is not good enough and we have to improve."
Benitez added: "We lost confidence and against a good side with quality players we had to leave space for counter-attacks and that is bad.
"Sometimes you think something but occasionally you have to go back and admit things are not working.
"We have played some good games this season but away from home we are not doing it.
"I am not looking for excuses. The situation is clear; we want to improve and we have to improve. But it is the team needs to improve, I am not going to talk about individual players."
Benitez played Steven Gerrard on the right of midfield with Bolo Zenden preferred in the middle despite the absence of the injured Mohamed Sissoko.
"I have explained 100 times before why he plays on the right side," Benitez added.
"Against Birmingham [in the Carling Cup] Bolo Zenden was man of the match and I decided our side today was the best way to balance the team."
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