Arsene Wenger has a happy man on Sunday after his side kicked off 2017 in style with a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
The boss faced the press afterwards, and much of the conversation understandably centred on Olivier Giroud’s scorpion kick goal.
- Read the match report from Emirates Stadium
- Iwobi on 'unorthodox' headed goal
- Wenger - My top-five Arsenal goals
However, Wenger was also keen to single out Alex Iwobi for praise after his goal and also discussed the side’s overall performance:
on a happy start to 2017…
I felt we had a dynamic game where we had a good balance between possession and movement of the ball. Overall it was an interesting game to watch because we played football, and that’s what we try to do. I said on Friday that it’s important to deliver good quality in games, and that we at least try to [do that]. Overall, I think today was an interesting game to watch because two teams tried to play and overall I felt that we always looked dangerous. The only frustration I have is that we didn’t kill the game off quickly enough. Even when it gets to 1-0 or 2-0 against a team like Palace, you are always under threat and we had a bit of a dodgy moment on corners, where Benteke was dangerous.
on Iwobi’s performance…
I believe he is always available, quick in his movement, wants the ball, can hold people off. People forget he’s 20 years old. I think he had a very good game - on top of that, now he starts to score goals. His quality of pass, of availability, is exceptional for a young boy. He lacked a bit of quality of [receptiveness] in dangerous areas and I hope that these goals he scores now will give him the taste as well to go where he can finish it off. There are always signs when a guy starts to score goals in training that they’ll come in games, and he has that. Now in training he starts to score goals. I’m sure he will score as well in the games.
on team being creative even without Mesut Ozil…
I agree, I felt we had a good balance today between possession and movement off the ball and our movement behind their defenders. And I must say as well, Granit Xhaka had an exceptional distribution on long balls, short balls and he is looking more confident as well and has more weight in our game.
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