Emmanuel Adebayor returned to the side after almost two months out through injury to score in each half as the Gunners made it four Barclays Premier League wins on the trot, writes Stewart Coggin.

"We had a strongly balanced performance, offensively and defensively against a good side, especially in the first half," Wenger said. "After half-time we completely took over and maybe should have scored more goals. Overall I am pleased because there is a lightness back in the team and the way we play. Everybody looks to enjoy, and play without the handbrake or any restriction. That is good to see."

Cesc Fabregas played his first match since sustaining a knee injury in December, and the captain set up both goals as he eased his way back into the side. Wenger opted to play the Spaniard higher up the pitch, with Alex Song and Denilson shielding the back-four.

more balanced

"It was a good team performance. Cesc had Denilson and Song behind him who did a good defensive job for him," added Wenger. "That meant he could dedicate more of his energy to the offensive task.

"(But) He likes to come deep and play the long balls. At the moment he is still in the phase where he gets to know all the aspects of the game - in defence and attack - so I use him a little bit to adjust the balance of the team. I felt I had the choice to put (Andrey) Arshavin in behind Adebayor but then I had to move one of the central midfielders wide. I just felt it was more balanced like that."

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes admitted that injuries played a key role in the match. As well as watching the returning Adebayor and Fabregas put his side to the sword, Hughes lost Wayne Bridge and Vincent Kompany to first-half knocks.

"Those players coming back just added to the quality Arsenal already had, and they both made an impact as well," he said. "It was disappointing - losing a goal so early and so poorly was always going to make it difficult for us.

"We lost key personnel very early and had to change things. We just lacked a bit of physical presence to dictate to the opposition. They are a big athletic side who are able to get around the pitch. As the game went on, we found it more and more difficult in that respect."