'I expected a performance with desire and got it'

Arsenal made a mockery of suggestions that a serious title challenge is beyond them with a 6-1 thrashing of Everton on Saturday.

A distant fourth last season, the sales of striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure to Manchester City had even some Arsenal fans questioning their team's ability to keep pace with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

However, a 90-minute masterclass at Goodison Park on the opening day of the Premier League campaign had the visiting fans in raptures.

"It the perfect start," manager Arsene Wenger told the BBC. "When you come to Everton you want the three points and that was the most important thing.

"I expected a performance with cohesion and desire and we got that. You don't dream of six goals at Everton.

"They looked looked a bit jaded physically but last season we scored more goals than anybody else away from home and people seem to forget that."

"That's why maybe we know we can score goals."

Defender Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal's only major signing, marked his debut with one of the goals while captain Cesc Fabregas scored twice in Everton's worst home defeat since 1982.

"Everybody in our team can score goals and everybody likes to go forward so when things go for us like today, anyone can score," added the Frenchman who was particularly pleased to see Brazil-born Croat Eduardo amongst the goals.

Arsenal go to Celtic on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League playoff in buoyant mood.

"The Champions League is a big game for us and we know we need a positive performance," Wenger said.