Wenger purrs over display April 19 2008
Arsene Wenger is in no doubt Arsenal are playing the best football of his time in charge after they brushed aside Reading 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have seen their dreams of the Premier League title and European glory fall apart in recent weeks, having been the dominant force for the opening seven months of the campaign.
However, Wenger's side were back to their quick-passing best on Saturday afternoon, inspired by Theo Walcott as they cruised past Steve Coppell's relegation battlers to close the gap on second-placed Chelsea to four points with three games to play.
Leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor put the hosts ahead on the half hour, before Gilberto Silva doubled the lead following a deflection off Royals defender Andre Bikey.
Wenger believes his team can yet salvage something from a season which promised so much, but again failed to deliver silverware.
"This has been the best played at Arsenal since I've been here," said Wenger, whose charges won the title unbeaten in 2003/04.
"The collective technical display has been the best in the last 12 years, but we have not won.
"Maybe, with some distance, you could say that we had nothing to lose at the start of the season and when we were under pressure at the start of March, we lost a bit.
"We were unlucky and there was also maybe a lack of maturity. But when you see us win like we today, with so much quality, it makes it even more important to keep the squad together.
"This will also help us to convince people we have to win with our own style."
Wenger added: "Overall, you can see that there is a strong link in the team and enormous pride and mental strength. The next season starts now, but we also want to finish as high as possible."
The Gunners boss also praised Walcott's contribution: "Theo has made big improvements in the last two months.
"He looked a kid at the start of the season, but now there is more belief in the fight and more determined attitude. There is more power in his body as well when he has to resist challenges."
Fabregas picked up the man of the match award following another all-action display at the heart of Arsenal's midfield.
The 19-year-old Spaniard, who is under contract until 2014, re-iterated his "100%" belief that the Gunners can go on to secure the trophies he craves.
"My future belongs to Arsenal, and it is the truth," he declared.
Coppell was not impressed by what appeared to be a hand in the face of Reading skipper Graeme Murty from Arsenal winger Alexander Hleb in an off-the-ball incident not spotted by referee Peter Walton just after the hour.
Coppell said: "Hleb slapped him across the neck and it is clearly visible on the video. It is there to see.
"I don't know how the procedure is at the Football Association. It seems some mystery man phones in and says 'have a look at the tape'.
"The whole process is unexplainable and arbitrary. Maybe someone in their front room somewhere will do something about it."