Wenger hails match-winner

Arsene Wenger hailed the efforts of Olivier Giroud after the France striker’s first half goal settled the north London derby in Arsenal’s favour, ensuring Tottenham began life without Gareth Bale with a painful defeat.

The victory eased the pressure on Wenger, whose failure to recruit significantly in the summer transfer market had been compared unfavourably with Tottenham’s recruitment policy that has attracted eight new players to White Hart Lane.

But while Wenger insisted he was still hopeful of making signings before the transfer window closes at 11pm tonight, he heaped praise on his side, singling out the efforts of Giroud and Mathieu Flamini, saying the latter had an “exceptional” game, given he hadn’t played since May.