• Premier League

Arsenal are not a one-man team - Wenger

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 24, 2011
Robin van Persie has scored 30 goals in 36 games for Arsenal in 2011 © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal are more than a one-man team after Robin van Persie stole the show once again by scoring a brace after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Stoke on Sunday.

Van Persie's eighth and ninth goals of the campaign meant a third defeat for Stoke, all of which have come after a Europa League outing on the previous Thursday. However, the Gunners' boss praised the collective effort of his squad when asked about another telling contribution from his Dutch striker.

"When you want to be a team with quality you always have a player who stands out and who gets on the end of things. We had Thierry Henry before. Robin has exceptional quality and so you get these questions," said Wenger.

Wenger also showed empathy toward Sir Alex Ferguson after Manchester United were thumped 6-1 by neighbours City.

Less than two months ago Arsenal suffered their own Old Trafford horror show when they crashed 8-2, and the Gunners boss admitted he did not see United's shock defeat coming.

"It's a surprise," he said. "But France nearly beat New Zealand in the rugby and that was a surprise. Like when we lost 8-2, the big scores have no special meaning, it only means something special happened in the game.

"When you are in a position where you have to attack with 10 men against a good side you are vulnerable. It's not that you lost three points, but the emotional aspect of a result like that remains in your head."

Arsenal have since regrouped and made it six wins out of seven in all competitions when they beat Stoke at the Emirates.

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