GUNNERS PUT WENGER IN BETTER HEART

A stylish display from the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger felt Arsenal had given him just what he asked for in the comprehensive 6-0 aggregate demolition of Steve McClaren's FC Twente to secure a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners - who were already leading 2-0 from the first leg in Holland - responded after a lacklustre display in the defeat at Fulham on Saturday to dominate from kick-off.

French midfielder Samir Nasri, who was sick at half-time and had to be replaced, put the home side ahead after 27 minutes.

Captain William Gallas added another at the start of the second half, before England hopeful Theo Walcott - watched by Fabio Capello - got the goal his all-action display merited and Nicklas Bendtner tapped in late on to make it a miserable return home for former national-team head coach McClaren.

"It was a big game for us and I felt we were well organised, disciplined and focused. We were never really under threat," said Wenger.

"It was important not to make mistakes. We were patient and scored our goals."

The Arsenal manager declared: "The response was clear - togetherness, focus and efficiency.

"We want to play with the best and to do that, we had to qualify for the group stage. It was a big mental test.

"The whole team was sharper and physically much better tonight than on Saturday and that is why it made it easier.

"They man-marked all over the pitch and did not take many risks."

Cesc Fabregas was back in the starting XI tonight following a hamstring problem.

Wenger said: "He brings calm and confidence to the side and overall we had a good balance today in the side.

"Cesc could have stayed on, he always wants to play, but he was probably more disappointed that they did not have a go at us."

Wenger hailed the performance of Walcott, who would have done his international ambitions no harm at all with a sublime finish after a positive run.

"I have always said we have to be patient with him," observed the Arsenal manager.

"I felt he can be decisive in any game against anybody, if we can get him in.

"He has improved his first touch and his link-up play, which was vital for his progression.

"For a while he has worked on a lot of things, and he has looked to have improved and found that right balance between individual play and the team play.

"But the way he finished tonight, you cannot teach that, he has that naturally."

Wenger hopes to add at least one new player to his squad before the transfer window closes next week, most probably a midfielder.

However, the Arsenal manager accepted it is not proving a straightforward process.

He said: "You can see many transfers announced in the media every day - but it takes a lot of time and does not always happen."

For Steve McClaren, it is now all about maintaining Twente's progress in the Dutch league and building a European campaign in the UEFA Cup.

The former England manager said: "I was sat here yesterday and they were talking about a crisis at Arsenal. Someone said it was the best time to play them after they lost to Fulham, but it was the worst time.

"We are hurt and disappointed. It's not how we expect Twente to play. We must take that anger into Saturday's match when the season starts.

"Arsenal are further on than us. They have played Premier League games and it showed. They were fitter and stronger than they were two weeks ago.

"We played with belief and competed with them in the first leg. We didn't do that today.

"It's been a great experience for the players. They are a young team and they need these experiences to learn.

"We are in the UEFA Cup, the season starts on Saturday and there is still a lot to play for."

McClaren added: "Who knows if Arsenal can win it. It is a long hard competition, but why not?"