Arsene Wenger hails Arsenal defence

Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal's recent resurgence is down to the performance of his defence.

The Gunners have leapfrogged local rivals Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the Premier League with a run of seven wins from as many games.

"When we were not winning games I did not feel we played as badly as people said," Wenger commented.

"We have gained a lot of confidence in our play out from the back and that makes a massive difference.

"The defenders who play out from the back give us a security now and that allows the team to be much more confident."

Arsenal's 3-0 win over Aston Villa this weekend fired them three points clear of Spurs in the race to secure Champions League football.