Wenger on...the game
"We played against our nerves a bit as well today because you could see that when we could not take our chances early on it became a bit edgy, but we kept going and finally got the goal which gives us three big points against a team which fought very hard and made it difficult for us in the air. When I saw [Shaun] Bartlett in their side I knew what to expect but we were dominant at the back and didn't panic. The team was a bit nervy because we have lost a few games recently. When we scored it was a relief and we are not used to this but this victory can give us a new start. Overall I feel we deserved the victory."

Wenger on...Reyes winner
"I feel he needed a goal because he didn't score for a long time. I feel he will be a tremendous player but you know when you have a player who you buy at 20 and he goes to a foreign country and he takes some time. I am confident he will be an immense player. He is a player who plays a lot on creative instinct and that can only be expressed with a lot of confidence. Starting left and drifting in is more comfortable for him. He likes freedom. I wanted to show him we have confidence in him and we believe in his quality. He matures quite quickly now. When you are 21 in a foreign country there is a big pressure on you, you haven't scored for a while and it plays on your mind."

Wenger on...opting for a 4-5-1 formation
"We didn't give many chances away, I feel we gave better balls in the final third. I like 4-4-2 but we have played some physical games away from home and we needed to strengthen in the middle of the park. The support has to come from Reyes who we leave a little bit free. We tuck one midfielder in to help out defensively but Reyes is quite free. It is like 4-4-2 but a bit stricter with player a little bit tucked in."

Wenger on...Freddie's missed chance
"You saw that we wanted so much to win the game that he lacked a little bit of spontaneous attitude. Once you take your time the keeper gets an advantage. Last year and every year Freddie scored double figures but at the moment he has not scored and you can see that in the way he takes his chances. It is in his mind."

Wenger on...recent form
"We felt we were a little unlucky at Newcastle where we created the early chances. Against Chelsea we created the early chances and hit the post and scored the goal, so that is a little bit in your mind."

Wenger on...Danny Murphy's red card
"I have huge sympathy for Charlton. But I must say Robin van Persie got exactly the same yellow card. It is the rules and the referee can only apply the rules."

Arsène Wenger

26 Dec 2005