Gunners are on the up - Wenger

Arsene Wenger
12 April 2012

Manager Arsene Wenger claimed Arsenal showed they are hungry to end their trophyless run after the Gunners triumphed 3-1 at Leeds in the FA Cup third-round replay.

Wenger, who also dismissed suggestions of a rift between skipper Cesc Fabregas and Denilson after reports that the Brazilian questioned his team-mate's leadership qualities, said Arsenal had learned the lessons from the 1-1 draw 10 days ago.

The Frenchman said: "The team goes from strength to strength and we have shown again tonight we are hungry. This gives us a good opportunity to play at home against Huddersfield - of course we will be favourite and I think we had that in mind."

Arsenal, whose last silverware was in 2005, cruised past Leeds thanks to goals from Samir Nasri - his 14th of an impressive season so far - Bacary Sagna and substitute Robin van Persie to set up a fourth-round match at home to Huddersfield.

According to reports of a TV interview in Brazil, Denilson had said that Fabregas is not "a born leader" but Wenger questioned that translation and said his captain was "an outstanding leader".

The Arsenal manager said: "That once again is coming back from Brazil and is not at all the spirit of the comment that was made. Either you have bad translators in England or good translators with a bad spirit.

"They [Denilson and Fabregas] are two very good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

"Cesc Fabregas is our captain and Robin van Persie our vice-captain and we have many leaders in our team and we are very happy with our captain - Samir was our captain (against Leeds).

"We have a shared leadership in our team but I believe Fabregas is an outstanding leader, especially when you consider he's 23 years old, with personality and character, and Van Persie as well.

"I believe what is important in the way we want to play football is that everyone takes responsibility."

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