Wenger eyes unbeaten run

WENGER'S VIEW Everton 1-4 Arsenal Everton match reaction

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his team to remain unbeaten for a second successive season.

After Arsenal had routed Everton, Wenger said: "We've only played one game, so it's very early but we'll try to do again what we did last season.

"Last year, we wanted to play good football, go forward all the time.

"We won't change but how far can we go? I don't know but it was good to see us perform well without Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Edu."

Wenger singled out for special praise Spanish midfielder Francesc Fabregas, who became Arsenal's youngest Premiership player at the age of 17 years and 103 days.

"Fabregas is only 17 but age is not important. We had a 17-year-old and a 35-year-old in Dennis Bergkamp and they both showed that age does not matter.

"As long as you have intelligence and technique, then that is enough.

"Fabregas is mentally very hungry but he's still a young boy physically, so we will have to protect him.

"However, the more they try to intimidate him, the more he comes back. He is good enough to be a regular now.

"It is about finding the right balance but I wanted to open the door for the young talent at the club.

"That is why I allowed the likes of Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Kanu to leave."