• Premier League

I never doubted we'd win - Wenger

ESPN staff
March 12, 2012
Robin van Persie opened the scoring, before Thomas Vermaelen's 95th-minute winner © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger claimed the victory was never in any doubt following Arsenal's 2-1 triumph over Newcastle on Monday, which was sealed thanks to Thomas Vermaelen's 95th-minute winner.

The Gunners dominated the match, but fell behind to Hatem Ben Arfa's strike and, following Robin van Persie's equaliser, missed a hatful of chances in the second period.

They were not punished for that wastefulness, however, as Vermaelen bundled home from inside the six-yard box following Theo Walcott's cross.

Asked if there was a point when he thought Arsenal would not win, Wenger said to Sky Sports: "Never. I said to my assistant, 'We need one more attack and we will score.' There was the belief in the team that we could score.

"It was a game of absolute commitment on both sides, you have to give credit to Newcastle, they are a good team. We needed something special, and what beat them is our relentless effort to win the game. We just did not stop."

Wenger reserved special praise for man of the match Walcott, who produced arguably his best performance of the season. He was so influential in the first half that Newcastle boss Alan Pardew removed Davide Santon, his direct opponent, at the interval.

"He was outstanding," Wenger said. "From the first to last minute. One of the best, best games I've seen from him. He had absolutely everything: combined well, crossed well, always in the game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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