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Wenger - The balance was right

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal found the right balance between attack and defence in Saturday’s 4-1 win against Newcastle United.

The Gunners went three goals ahead courtesy of a brace from Olivier Giroud and a fine chip by Santi Cazorla. Ayoze Perez then pulled one back before Cazorla scored his second from the spot.

Despite scoring four goals for the second time this week, Wenger hailed Arsenal’s defensive solidity and the performance of Mathieu Debuchy, who played at centre back for the first time.

"I asked him many, many times this week, ‘have you played centre back?’, and he said no, never. He responded very well"

Arsene Wenger

“We played well today with a very offensive team,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “I felt that even defensively we looked comfortable and the balance was right.

“It was the first time I’ve seen Bellerin playing without a handbrake and you could see that there’s something there. Debuchy was outstanding in a completely new position.

“I asked him many, many times this week, ‘have you played centre back?’, and he said no, never. He responded very well. Mertesacker is coming back to good form and Gibbs got stronger and stronger in the game - Szczesny as well.

“We’ve had two good games and scored eight goals, conceding only two. After the Stoke City incident, this is a very strong response and it shows what I said that this team is united, dynamic and wants to do well.”