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Wenger pleased with Gunners spirit
08:45, Dec 20 2009
Arsene Wenger was delighted with Arsenal's battling qualities after they enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hull at the Emirates Stadium.
Goals from Denilson's sublime free-kick, Eduardo and Abou Diaby moved Arsenal back into third place in the Barclays Premier League. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia also deserved much credit when he saved Geovanni's second-half penalty with the home side 1-0 in front.
"We had to fight," said Wenger. "It took us some time to get into the game and to find the pace. We didn't look very fresh in the first half. But we got in front in the second half, and if there was a turning it was the penalty they missed."
He added: "The penalty looked really, really harsh but we scored straight away a second goal and had plenty of chances after that.
"We scored the first goal just before half-time and they had to come out in the second half.
"In the first-half they played in their half and were well organised and closed us down. We had to respond physically and we had a good response.
"Denilson is not a free-kick specialist. He took it well. I thought he wanted to cross but he scored. It changed the game."
Denilson's opener came just after players from both teams were embroiled in a mass confrontation - sparked by Samir Nasri's off-the-ball tangle with Richard Garcia.
Hull's Stephen Hunt then clashed with Nasri and referee Steve Bennett booked both players when order was restored. The feud appeared to continue in the tunnel as the players left the pitch but Wenger denied anything untoward had gone on.
"It was difficult to see he stamped on the foot," said Wenger. "But if he had gone, a player from Hull would have gone as well. Nothing happened in the tunnel."
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