Wenger's faith restored

"I first saw him play for the French Under-18 side and he looked special even then," he said. "Last night he was running at defenders, changing pace and going past people as if they weren't there. He's a match-winner and that makes Arsenal a threat to anyone."

The French striker's two goals last night mean he has now scored 29 in 55 Champions League matches. Only Raul (44), Ruud van Nistelrooy (33) and Allesandro Del Piero (31) have scored more. Roxburgh also singled out another Frenchman, Robert Pires, for special praise. "He's so understated as a player," he said.

"There's nothing flash about him but, as with all great players, when he gets the ball he simplifies everything. What Arsene has are players who can articulate his thoughts and plans on the pitch. He's a very smart cookie. He's put together a team capable of beating anyone on their day. He got his tactics absolutely right last night. They were compact, organised and broke out brilliantly.

"I see a lot of football at this level and have to say that it was one of the best displays I've ever seen by an away side in a European competition. Arsenal have been the dark horses in Europe for years and perhaps now they're about to come out of the shadows."

No Italian club has lost this heavily at home in the Champions League before and, in terms of importance and pressure, it was an Arsenal win that ranked with the 1-0 victory over Juventus in Turin in the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final - the Italians had never lost at home - in 1980. It was also Arsenal's biggest win in six seasons of Champions League football.

Wenger said: "It was probably my most satisfying night in Europe. But I think there is still a lot to do. It's a fragile situation. We have to beat Lokomotiv Moscow and that's going to be a very big game for us."

At least Wenger knows that three points at Highbury will guarantee progress to the elite last 16 clubs in the second stage. But a draw would put Lokomotiv through and mean that the result of Inter's visit to Kiev would determine the other qualifier.

Inter coach Alberto Zaccheroni said: "It's now win or bust for us in Kiev. Arsenal were simply superior. We gave them too much space - especially Henry."

The Frenchman gave Arsenal the lead in a tight first-half but Christian Vieri's equaliser in the 33rd minute caused Wenger some anxious moments. "At the interval I sensed that the players felt it was going to go against them again," said the Arsenal coach. "We needed character in the second-half."

Ray Parlour, Edu and Sol Campbell provided that in abundance, and when Freddie Ljungberg put Arsenal back in front in the 49th minute Inter were suddenly questioning their tactics and personnel. They made three substitutions but nothing rattled Arsenal's composure or unsettled their defensive discipline.

Henry scored again in the 85th minute - "the killer goal" beamed Wenger - and Edu and Robert Pires then simply capitalised on Inter's growing desperation.

The disgruntled locals began streaming home long before the end as the Arsenal hordes borrowed England's triumphant rugby anthem 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot'. The Italians remaining at the final whistle applauded Arsenal from the field.

Wenger had a huge smile on his face. It was that sort of night for Arsenal.