2008-12-29 : Against Portsmouth

Wenger: It was a big three points for us

Dear Supporter,

It was a big three points for us on Sunday because we gave a lot physically but in the end only got a disappointing point at Aston Villa. It was important to get the three points against Portsmouth because recently, no matter what we do, we are always reading bad headlines. It is important for the belief of our team to come away with three points.

We were intelligent, mature and we didn't make mistakes. In the end we won the game against a Portsmouth side who defended very deep and very well. I believe that, in the end, it was difficult to create chances but we had one or two good chances that got us the win.

We all know William Gallas can turn up on a set-piece and get goals. He started out as a striker and he looks the most likely to score from set-pieces because he has the timing of the run and you cannot teach that; you either have it or you don't. He has good timing to attack the ball.

People ask about William's future at Arsenal but he answers everybody by the quality of his performances on the pitch. That is what you want to do when you are a great player.

The result took us above Aston Villa - at least before they played Hull - and you could see again on Sunday with Chelsea drawing at Fulham that it is difficult for everybody. I believe everybody will drop points now at the beginning of the year. The other three will play against each other so for us we just need to be consistent.

We have gone six games without defeat but we just have to reduce the gap before we speak about the championship. In the last six games we have won three and drawn three and out of the three draws we were leading in every single game, against Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Villa, and the teams won't always come back to us.

It is important that we keep going. The team is maturing quickly and has shown great mental strength in the last six weeks.

Thanks for your support in 2008.