Wenger praises hero Pires
Arsene Wenger tonight paid tribute to Robert Pires after the French winger had kept Arsenal’s double defence on course at Highbury.
Pires scored both goals in Arsenal’s fortunate 2-1 triumph in the London derby against Fulham – his second coming in the second minute of injury time.
The victory saw Arsenal extend their Premiership lead to six points with Manchester United easing into second place after their victory over Southampton.
And it prompted Wenger to declare that Pires was at last back to his best after recovering from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered against Newcastle last March which kept him out of the game for six months.
“Pires was out for six months and he is hungry for goals,” said Wenger. “But he worked very hard when he was injured and I think he is back to his best. He took both goals very well.
“I’m delighted to get the points. In the first half we created chances but did not take them, but in the second we showed our mental strength and did what it takes to win.
“It was tight. Fulham played very well. It was a game to be patient. We needed maturity and mental strength.”
Wenger admitted it was a vital victory, especially after losing two points at Anfield last Wednesday night when they allowed Emile Heskey to head a late equaliser.
“Last Wednesday we lost two points in the last minute. Today we gained two points in the last minute,” said Wenger. “If we had dropped another two points it would have been a highly disappointing week. But the second goal made the week acceptable.”
He also saluted the contribution of second-half substitute Francis Jeffers, who supplied the cross for Pires’ winning goal and was a constant threat in the last 20 minutes.
“Jeffers contributed a lot today,” said Wenger. “He gives us something different. He makes the runs and the right angles. He gave Fulham a big problem. But we have players up front who are not selfish and that is good.”
On the title race Wenger predicted: “It will be exciting and interesting right till the end.”
Fulham manager Jean Tigana, however, was disappointed after getting nothing from a game his struggling team dominated for parts after midfielder Steed Malbranque had equalised Pires’ opener in the first-half.
“To lose in the last minute is terrible,” said Tigana. “We have quality players but not as many as Arsenal, that was the difference. But we played very well though the last 20 minutes was difficult for us. But we believe we can stay up. We need to win five games.”
