Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are showing "interesting potential" after getting the crowd back on their side at the Emirates, but lamented the team's many missed chances in a 2-0 victory over Basel on Wednesday.

Theo Walcott scored twice in the first half as Arsenal followed up their 3-0 drubbing of Chelsea on Saturday by dismantling the Swiss champions in their first Champions League home win of the season.

Arsenal easily could have doubled the scoreline by halftime as Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin all spurned chances, but it was another dominant and free-flowing performance at the Emirates - where Arsenal have often struggled in recent times.

The club were booed off the pitch after an opening Premier League loss to Liverpool as the fan anger that sometimes boiled over last season resurfaced.

Just like after the Chelsea game, they were serenaded loudly by the fans this time, and Wenger said it's clear the team is no longer nervous playing at home.

"The confidence comes from the last results. I think we were a bit edgy at home for a few games and now it looks like we are playing with full power and pace," Wenger said. "I think it was a game where again the first half was top quality.

"The pace, the quality of our movement, the technical quality. And we created many dangerous situations. I would like to congratulate my team for the quality that they produced tonight. But I have a regret which is that we didn't take enough chances that we created. But it's a good basis to have a taste for more."

Arsenal are tied atop Group A with Paris Saint-Germain, having drawn 1-1 away at the French side in their opening game. And there's a growing belief that Wenger finally has a side that could challenge in Europe's top competition, after being eliminated in the last 16 for six years in a row.

Wenger insisted that it's "much too early" to start speculating about a deep run in the tournament, but acknowledged that the signs are positive.

"It looks like the team has interesting potential. So we have to be ambitious and keep our feet on the ground and continue to develop," Wenger said.

"We know exactly how we want to play football. And we have to continue to stick to that and do better at it. And that demands a big focus and some leadership inside the squad. And as well some humility."

Wenger also singled out Sanchez for praise after the Chilean set up both goals for Walcott and was at the heart of most attacks for the hosts. Sanchez is looking increasingly comfortable playing as a central striker after struggling in the role for the first couple of games of the season.

"He looks like he has the ingredients to do very well there, and he's getting stronger in every single game," Wenger said.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Mattias Karen

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