LONDON: Arsene Wenger claimed Arsenal’s spirit has carried them through a traumatic period after Sunday’s 3-0 win over Watford eased a little of the pressure on the beleaguered boss.

Wenger is fighting to save his job and a 2-0 win at AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday offered the Frenchman temporary respite from the torrent of abuse he has endured this season.

Maintaining the momentum from that last-16 victory in the San Siro, Wenger’s side ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats with a solid display at the Emirates Stadium.

Shkodran Mustafi’s early header and a cool finish from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put them in control.

In a moment of sweet vindication, Watford captain Troy Deeney, who had questioned Arsenal’s spirit earlier this season, had a second-half penalty saved by Petr Cech.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s strike wrapped up the points, but there was concern for Wenger ahead of Thursday’s second leg against Milan as Mustafi limped off with a groin injury in the closing stages.

Arsenal remain in sixth place and still look unlikely to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top-four finish.

Winning the Europa League would also achieve that goal and, with that in mind, Wenger was impressed with the way his players have stayed united despite their recent problems.

“The spirit and desire was good. That kept us out of trouble. You have to give credit to the players, they stuck together,” he said.

“I believe it was important to continue after Milan to show that consistency. Overall it was a convincing win and an important one.

“We have had a disappointing period and our supporters suffered like we suffered. But our job is to perform and stick together in important moment and get the fans back on side.”

Wenger also saluted Cech, who became the first goalkeeper to keep 200 clean sheets in the Premier League.

“The record is absolutely remarkable. Fantastic motivation, fantastic desire and remarkable intelligence,” he said.

WARM-UP FOR BARCA

On Saturday, fifth-placed Chelsea moved provisionally to within two of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a nervy 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the late kickoff.

A deflected strike from by in-form winger Willian and a Martin Kelly own goal put Antonio Conte’s side in control at the break, but they took their foot off the gas in the second half.

Palace fought back late on and, after Alexander Sorloth had a goal disallowed, Patrick van Aanholt got his side back in the match in stoppage time, but it was too little too late for Palace as Chelsea held out for a first win in four in all competitions.

“We deserved to win,” Conte said.

“For sure when you have so many chances it is important to be clinical, but we must be pleased with the performance and prepare for [the Champions League last-16 second leg against] Barcelona.”

Also on Saturday, West Ham United fans rebelled in ugly scenes during their 3-0 defeat against Burnley that left them three points above the relegation zone.

There were unsavoury scenes at London Stadium where pitch invasions and mass protests in the stands forced owners David Sullivan and David Gold to leave the director’s box, with police brought in to restore order.

Newcastle United boosted their survival bid and kept Southampton in trouble with a 3-0 win at St James’ Park, the goals coming from Kenedy’s brace and a Matt Ritchie strike.

West Bromwich Albion remain rooted to the bottom of the table as Leicester City’s 4-1 win at the Hawthorns increased the pressure on boss Alan Pardew. Salomon Rondon put Albion ahead but Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Kelechi Iheanacho and Vicente Iborra replied for Leicester.

Everton beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0, while Swansea City drew 0-0 at Huddersfield Town despite having Jordan Ayew sent off.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2018