Wenger pleased with patient Gunners

The Barclays Premier League leaders had the better of possession all night against a side who had never before lost to English opposition in Europe.

Robin van Persie struck with 15 minutes left to ensure Arsenal's impressive opening to the new campaign continues with a ninth straight win, and Wenger said: "We decided to put pace in the game and score early, but we did not manage to do it. We felt superior and we were - but as long as you do not score you must not become too nervous or impatient, and therefore open to the counter attack."

He added: "We kept going, were intelligent and in the end scored the goal which gave us a deserved win.

"Patience is linked with maturity and we were conscious of that at half-time. The turning point was maybe they had a chance when their player went through, who I thought was offside. They could not take their chance and after that, Van Persie put one in the net."

There looked to be a let-off for the home side on 40 minutes. Arsenal worked the ball out to the left, where Gael Clichy whipped it in from the byline. A deflection wrong-footed keeper Robinson Zapata and as the Colombian fell back to gather the ball, he appeared to carry it over the line.

TV replays were inconclusive, but Wenger remains an advocate for the introduction of technology.

"It is unbelievable, but I hope it will change and not only for goals," the Arsenal manager said. "I am a supporter of the video system and I hope it will change soon."

Arsenal had not enjoyed the best of records from trips to Eastern Europe in the past. Wenger feels it is another test his emerging squad have passed.

"It says something about the focus of the team," reflected the Arsenal manager. "Even though it was not the most glamorous of games, we had good focus and good team display. Overall the team is hungry."