Having been at their lowest ebb after losing four games in quick succession, it has been quite a response from the Arsenal team in recent weeks.
Three wins on the bounce, including two against AC Milan, have restored confidence and Jack Wilshere puts it down to the steps the team have taken defensively.
This is what he told Arsenal Media:
on beating Milan...
It was a good performance - we knew we had to give the same effort as we did in Milan last week. It was a big physical effort and we did that again tonight. We have to do that going forward - you have seen the last three games and we have really concentrated on our defensive shape and discipline. We all did it together as a team, we closed gaps and we knew we had to do that again tonight because they were going to try to bring the game to us. We're happy but we need to keep this going now.
on how they've closed gaps as a team...
Everyone is giving a little bit more physically when things don't go our way. If you're having a bad game, or things aren't going your way, the one thing you can always promise is that you'll run around. You have to give your all and I think we're doing that. We had a few bad results and everyone had a good hard look at themselves, and we have responded. We have responded with three big performances and we have set the bar now. We need to do that week in, week out.
on Danny Welbeck...
I'm happy for him because his last goal was [against Nottingham Forest in January], and it's hard for a striker because they will always be judged on goals. He brings more to the team than just goals, his runs in behind, his work-rate is good - but I know as a striker, and I know him, that he wants to score. He took his penalty nicely, then he got the second and hopefully he can build on that.
on his England recall...
I'm happy of course, it's been a while since I've been in there but I never gave up hope. I've been fortunate enough to represent my country a lot of times and it's one of the best feelings in the world. I never gave up that little bit of hope, so I'm happy and it's down to me now to repay him.
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