Wenger glad to get first victory of new year

Arsene Wenger refused to get carried away with Arsenal’s 7-1 thrashing of 10-man Blackburn at Emirates Stadium, where captain Robin van Persie fired a hat-trick and England youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain grabbed a brace.

The Gunners – who had not won in the league this year – raced ahead after just 79 seconds through Van Persie, but a fine free-kick from Morten Gamst Pedersen brought struggling Blackburn level.