Arsene Wenger pleased with 'serious performance' from Arsenal... and reveals why he didn't rest Alexis Sanchez  

Arsene Wenger applauded his team for responding to their defensive disaster at Southampton on New Year's Day with their first clean sheet in eight games.

Wenger called it 'a serious performance' as the FA Cup holders beat Hull 2-0 in the third round, and hailed Francis Coquelin as one of the positive factors to emerge from the crowded festive fixture programme.

The Arsenal manager also stressed that none of the Barclays Premier League teams who played back-to-back away games on December 28th and January 1 were able to take six points on the road. 


Arsene Wenger applauds his players after the opening goal on Sunday evening in north London

Arsene Wenger applauds his players after the opening goal on Sunday evening in north London

Per Mertesacker wheels away in celebration after scoring for Arsenal in the first half of the FA Cup clash 

Per Mertesacker wheels away in celebration after scoring for Arsenal in the first half of the FA Cup clash 

'We suffered at Southampton at the back as a unit and it was not a great performance,' said Wenger. 'I have analysed this period and none of those teams who played away from home on the 28th and the first have won both games. We were very disappointed at Southampton but nobody won the two games.

'We have had three away games out of four (at Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton) and took four points, more than anybody else.'

On Coquelin, who has returned to the team to deputise for injured midfielders Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini, the Arsenal boss added: 'For me, he has left a positive impression. He has done well, matured a lot and is strong in the fight.'

Chile forward Sanchez was again Arsenal's stand-out player, sweeping home a 16th goal of the season.

'He is lively and always dangerous,' said Wenger of the £32million summer signing from Barcelona.

'Alexis has a change of direction, is incisive and penetrating, and has also a good fighting spirit.He has a good combination of what you want to see from top players - that means being ready for a fight and talent.'

Alexis Sanchez doubles their lead late in the second half after turning Curtis Davies on the edge of the box

Alexis Sanchez doubles their lead late in the second half after turning Curtis Davies on the edge of the box

The Chilean forward tweeted a picture of himself taking a bath after his man-of-the-match performance 

The Chilean forward tweeted a picture of himself taking a bath after his man-of-the-match performance 

Wenger admitted he was 'tempted' to rest Sanchez.

He added: 'You look at the players who have that confidence and you are torn between when a player is that confident to keep him on playing or give him a rest.

'But when the players are confident it is important to keep them going, especially when they have that physical potential.

'Sanchez recovers very quickly and he doesn't look in our tests to have any fatigue problem.'

Wenger was glad Walcott came through his first real test after recovering from an injury which shattered his World Cup dream.

'Theo looked dangerous. You could see he hasn't lost the quality of his runs,' said Wenger.

'He lacks a bit of competition, but that will come. What he has done tonight after being out for a year is quite positive.'

Theo Walcott was handed his first start of the season in Arsenal's 2-0 win against Hull in the FA Cup

Theo Walcott was handed his first start of the season in Arsenal's 2-0 win against Hull in the FA Cup

Walcott revealed he was delighted to finally play with Sanchez and hopes for more appearances with him

Walcott revealed he was delighted to finally play with Sanchez and hopes for more appearances with him

Wenger confirmed the imminent departure of German forward Lukas Podolski, saying only: 'He is going to Inter Milan.'

France under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo could be another allowed to leave during the January window, preferentially to another club in England, with Bordeaux reported to be interested.

'Podolski was frustrated because he didn't get chance to play, I can understand, but Sanogo is more in search for experience at the top level in the Premier League. If he can get that, we will see,' he said.

'Sanogo is ready to play, but I have so many options up front it is difficult for him to play.

Hull manager Steve Bruce had few complaints at the final outcome.

'It is a fair result,' he said.

'We huffed and puffed, but didn't have any cutting edge to make the cup tie come alive.

'We had decent possession, but didn't really create any chances in the final third which is disappointing.'

Hull City manager Steve Bruce looks on during his side's match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium

Hull City manager Steve Bruce looks on during his side's match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium

Bruce added: 'We made 10 changes with all the injuries we have got, and that wasn't a case of disrespecting the cup because we had one of the best days of our lives in the competition last year.

'It was always going to be difficult once we picked them out of the hat.'

Hull are in need of reinforcements during January, but Bruce played down suggestions former England striker Jermain Defoe was on his way.

'He might be too expensive. If there is a chance we would be interested in him, but I don't want to get the hopes up of all the Hull supporters. There is a long way to go,' Bruce said.