Arsene Wenger hopes the 3-0 win at Manchester City will give Arsenal (11/2 Premier League Outright) the belief they need to go on and win the Premier League title.
The Gunners showed their title credentials with a strong performance at Eastlands, with goals from Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner.
Although City were down to ten men after just five minutes, following the dismissal of Dedryck Boyata, Wenger was delighted with the way his side took full advantage.
The Frenchman said: “It was important to us to get a win in a big place to strengthen belief and continue our march forward. I think collectively we completely dominated the game.”
The Gunners (1/7 Top Four Finish) have moved up to second in the table, five points behind leaders Chelsea, who are one of two teams to beat Arsenal this season.
One major plus in recent weeks has been the performances of Lukasz Fabianski, following the Gunners’ early-season goalkeeping issues.
The Polish international kept an impressive clean sheet and has conceded just two goals in three games – during which time Arsenal have scored ten.
Fabianski will have to battle to keep his place when Manuel Almunia returns to full fitness, but Wenger is pleased with the form of the 25-year-old.
The manager stated: “From game to game, he shows what we see in training. Sometimes in our job you have to be steady and fight against opinions.
“It is easier when you know a player has the talent and I believe he has the talent.”
Wenger has been known to blood the Gunners’ youngsters in the Carling Cup (Newcastle 14/5, Draw 13/5, Arsenal 10/11 – Match Betting) , but has indicated that he will send a strong side to Newcastle on Wednesday.
England international Theo Walcott is expected to start at St James’ Park, while Nicklas Bendtner could start after scoring as a substitute at Eastlands having recovered from injury.
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Birmingham City head into the new Premier League campaign in good heart following last season’s ninth-place finish and Stephen Carr, who has just penned a new deal, says there is a buzz around St Andrew’s ahead of the opening-day trip to Sunderland (Birmingham 11/5, Sunderland 23/20).