Wenger salutes maturing Arsenal's progress

LONDON: Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are maturing into a force to be reckoned with after the Gunners routed AZ Alkmaar 4-1 to move within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages.

After being widely written off as also-rans following a preseason marred by the sales of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City, Wenger's side is beginning to hit its stride and looks increasingly capable of ending its four-year trophy drought.

The Gunners brushed aside Dutch champions Alkmaar in emphatic fashion at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday and need just one point from their final two Group H matches against Standard Liege and Olympiakos to be certain of reaching the last 16.