Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hailed the performance of Jack Wilshere following the 2-0 victory over Wolves.

The Gunners ran out comfortable winners at the Emirates Stadium as Robin van Persie scored a fine brace to kill off the Molineux outfit.

It was a welcome return to winning ways for the North Londoners following last week's dramatic turnaround at Newcastle and gives them momentum ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday.

Van Persie may take the plaudits after scoring twice, but it was Wilshere who pulled the strings in midfield and Wenger was delighted with the youngster.

He said: "Jack is a talented player who can defend and attack. He had a very good game. He defends well, he attacks well, he creates, he has assists.

"He is a very confident lad but he has not scored yet. Cesc (Fabregas) was like that for a while.

"I believe he will score soon because he looks very close. He has a hesitation sometimes to shoot and chooses to always give the ball. When he is a bit more confident he will score goals."

On the game as a whole, the Frenchman added: "It looked at some stage that it could become crazy again because we had chance after chance and couldn't finish the game off.

"As long as it was not 2-0 of course with what happened last week you are concerned.

"But we had great movement, we created many chances, we didn't concede, so that's very good before Wednesday night.

"Excellent goals, different ones. The first one from Fabregas the second a one-touch counter-attack.

"Overall I think we could have scored many more today."
No offside

Wenger refuted claims that Van Persie's second should have been disallowed for offside, with the Dutch ace not interfering with play when Fabregas swept an initial ball forward for Theo Walcott.

"In this situation I believe the offside is judged when the ball is played, so when Theo plays the ball to Van Persie he is not offside and therefore I think not. But I'm not a specialist," he remarked.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy admits his side were 'murdered' during their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Fresh after beating Manchester United last weekend, Wolves went into the Emirates Stadium clash high on confidence but were undone by a superb Robin van Persie brace.

Wolves battled valiantly but never looked like breaking through the Gunners backline, while Wayne Hennessey had to produce a number of fine saves.

McCarthy praised his players for working hard but says they were lucky to get away with just conceding two.

"Mine as ever have plugged away, stuck at it, given everything and nobody's left anything on the pitch," he said.

"But we've had a slapping, there was a murder going on out there.

"It's only ended up as two, Wayne Hennessey kept us in the game. For us to improve I think we have to accept that we've had a doing today.

"I admire the way Arsenal went about their job and for us to get better and aspire to that level of performance, they've slapped us."
Safe hands

On the impressive showing from shot-stopper Hennessey, the Wolves boss was particularly pleased.

"Wayne was terrific and our lads just keep going. I can only admire them for that and I'm proud of them for that," he added.

"They're a better side than us. They beat us and they beat us fair and square - I've got no arguments about it at all."

Asked whether Welshman Hennessey has improved after losing his place to Marcus Hahnemann last year, McCarthy remarked: "Of course he has. Losing his place to Marcus last season, he didn't like it but it didn't do him any harm.

"He was able to sit back and take stock, he signed a new contract - one that we all think he's worthy of - and he's playing at the top of his game at the minute.

"He has come back a better and more mature keeper and person for missing it. He's been terrific."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that midfielder Samir Nasri does have a “chance” of playing against Barcelona in the Champions League next Wednesday.

The 23-year-old sustained a hamstring injury during the FA Cup win over Huddersfield last month, with Wenger suggesting that Nasri wouldn’t be fit for Wednesday’s clash. However, the former Marseille man said on Twitter that he’s now begun training again and could be back sooner rather than later.

“I wouldn’t say ‘no chance’. There is a chance,” Wenger told reporters at his post-match press conference after the win against Wolves.

Nasri, of course, has been at the center of much of Arsenal’s success this year, scoring fabulous goals against Fulham and Manchester City. He’s been scoring goals at a tremendous rate and providing smooth passing interchanges with Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, and Theo Walcott in the Gunners’ best attacking four.

Gooners will be hopeful that Nasri can make the substitutes bench against Barcelona, bolstering Arsene Wenger’s attacking options in the squad.

Szczesny :  Was he playing ?……..N/A

Sagna:  Provided the wingback dimension and also did his defensive duties responsibly…6.5

Kosher: Did his defensive duties well, and covered for Clichy when required….7

DJ: good to see him back after this week’s scare in the newspapers. He defended well and responsibly. Covered Kosher whenever he needed to….7.5

Clichy: Here what I observed about Gael today. If he goes up 5 times, he comes back 4 times. Other than that he dealt with whatever Wolves threw at him….6

Jack: MOTM: I cannot rate him because he was so good. The guy was everywhere, defense and attack. On certain occasions he was like a shadow gliding through Wolves. Theo should have scored and got the lad an assist….N/A

Song: Defend, add some passes to the attack and retrieve the ball when it’s lost. A normal day in the life of Alex Song…..6

Cesc: Business as usual from our captain. He played some lovely balls to Theo, and his cross for the first goal was immaculate. Defended when required, and covered his fellow mates when he had to……8.5

Arshavin: The Russian is working back onto his old self. He played well today, and tracked back too. Something he usually doesn’t do…7

RVP: Another brace for the Dutchman. Both goals were classy, although he former was better. Keep it up mate. ….9.5

Theo: he tormented the Wolves defence, after Flash gave him his powers. At time she was superb. He should have at least scored 1 today, and I yet have no idea how he missed the goal after Jack played him through…..8