Arsene Wenger

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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Craig Levein’s men started their qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw in Lithuania on Friday evening, as they prepare for their first home fixture of the campaign this week.

Liechtenstein are the visitors to Hampden Park on Tuesday, in what looks like a must-win game for Scotland.

Celtic (4/6f to win 2010-11 SPL title) star Brown admitted to the BBC: “We need to win our home games, that’s the main thing. Away from home we have got to try and nick a few points, maybe get a win here or there.

“We’re enjoying playing and looking forward to the future. The players are comfortable with the formation.”

Levein will feel a bit frustrated not to have started their campaign with a win though, with Scotland (18/1 to win Group I) enjoying the territorial advantage and the better chances.

The shots on-target count was 5-1 in the visitors favour, but the Scots started their Group I fixtures with an away point.

Levein is expected to make changes to the side for Tuesday’s match, with James McFadden pushing for a start.

The Birmingham forward came on as a second-half substitute in Lithuania, replacing Barry Robson, and looked lively going forward.

Scotland will want to gain their first qualifying win this week, ahead of a tough double header next month.

Levein’s men face an away trip to the Czech Republic in October, before a home clash with European and World champions Spain.

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A much-changed England line-up, with the three Chelsea players given the night off, struggled for much of the first half but did take a 2-1 lead into the half-time break.

Ledley King gave the home side the lead and Peter Crouch doubled the advantage, before West Ham’s Guillermo Franco deservedly pulled a goal back for Mexico before half-time.

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson fired home a stunning long-range strike early in the second half, which proved enough to earn England the victory.

Capello insisted there were plenty of positives to take from the game, but also expected that they are several things still to work on between now and the start of the World Cup.

The Italian said: “I learned a lot about some situations on the pitch. Not only me but also the players – we have to press more to win back the ball quickly.”

Steven Gerrard (8/1 to be England’s leading scorer at the tournament) admitted that the coach had called for more combativeness at half time, after being forced to chase Mexico for long periods in the first half.

The midfielder stated: “They had too much possession in the first half, we stood off them and let them play. In the second half we got in their faces and stopped them playing. We need to be more aggressive.

Gerrard admits England need to be “able to adapt to different formations” in South Africa but insists there is still time to ’sharpen up’ before the tournament begins.

More importantly, England reported no fresh injury worries at the end of the game despite some concerns over Wayne Rooney late in the game.

The Manchester United striker, who played the full 90 minutes, hurt his neck towards the end of the friendly win but had to continue as England had made their six changes.

Capello described the knock as a “small problem” but insists he is not concerned and says Rooney “will be okay”.

Meanwhile, Ledley King insists his long-standing knee injury is not a problem after also completing the match in the heart of the England defence.

The squad will now return to Austria on Wednesday to resume their high-altitude training, and will take on Japan on Sunday in their final warm-up match.

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