Arsene Wenger pleased by "very important" win over West Ham United

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described his side's 3-0 win over West Ham United as a "very important one" in their battle for Champions League qualification.

The Gunners strengthened their grip on third place in the Premier League table on Saturday as they eased past the Hammers at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite admitting that his team did not always perform to their best, Wenger is happy with how they continued to keep the pressure on their opponents throughout the game.

"It was a good performance," the Frenchman is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "We were weaker at the start of the second half, but overall we kept going and created many chances.

"It was a convincing win and a very important one as well. That's the kind of game we want to play. When it doesn't work it is questioned, but that is the game we love."

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday when they will look to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit against Monaco in the Champions League last 16.