Chamakh at the double as Arsenal and Fabianksi bounce back in style
WOLVES 0 vs ARSENAL 2
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger saluted the performance of two-goal hero Marouane Chamakh after the Gunners bounced back from Sunday’s defeat against Newcastle.
The Morocco international scored after just 37 seconds – the fastest goal Arsenal have ever scored in the Premier League – and capped an impressive display with an injury-time clincher.
Chamakh, a free signing from Bordeaux in the summer, made a strong start to life in red and white, but had failed to score away from home in the league, and had been withdrawn after an hour at the weekend.
But he was back with a bang last night, much to Wenger’s delight.
He said: “Chamakh was not sharp against Newcastle and I only played him for an hour after he had been sick for all the previous week.
“I thought he would be sharper tonight. If you look back since the start of season, he has been decisive in many games.”
Wenger was also delighted with the performance of much-maligned goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who responded to Sunday’s costly error with a string of fine saves.
Wenger said: “Fabianski had great game and I’m pleased as it shows he has the mental strength to do it.
“We went early into the lead and the victory was so important for us tonight that the focus was on defending and keeping the result safe.”
The main talking point came midway through the second half when Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas launched into a heavy tackle on Stephen Ward which saw the Wolves player leave on a stretcher.
Fabregas made a point of apologising to Ward after the game and Wenger insisted that there was no malice in the challenge.
He said: “I think it was an accidental tackle. That’s what Cesc told me. He wanted to play the ball.”
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy added: “It wasn’t a bad tackle. I have no problem with it. What I do have a problem with is when people bitch about my players making a tackle.”