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Wenger - We can rely on Bendtner

Arsene Wenger says he can rely on Nicklas Bendtner to step in when Olivier Giroud needs a rest.

The Dane headed his first Arsenal goal for more than two years in the 2-0 win over Hull City.

Wenger praised Bendtner's workrate against Steve Bruce's side and was pleased to have taken the three points despite making five changes to the side that beat Cardiff City.

"The confidence and the results help as well - that is of course very important"

Arsene Wenger

"[Picking Bendtner] was maybe the less obvious decision but he worked hard," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "I told him 'if you work hard you will get a chance' and at some stage [Olivier] Giroud needs a breather as well. It's good to see that we can rely on him and he can come up with a performance.

"Everybody has done well. I feel for me it's easy and difficult. Easy because no matter who plays, comes in and does very well, difficult because I have always to leave players out who deserve to play but the attitude and togetherness is great so that helps."

The Gunners kept their fourth straight clean sheet on Wednesday and have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, but Wenger insists he hasn't made any changes to the system.

"We haven't changed the system," he said. "I believe first of all individually our players have improved. Collectively they have improved as well because they know each other much better.

"The confidence and the results help as well - that is of course very important."