Arsenal v West Brom reaction

The Holland international was recalled to the starting line-up against Albion at the Emirates after beginning the midweek Champions League draw with Marseille on the bench, and proved the catalyst in Arsenal's 400th Premier League win. While unable to match his hat-trick heroics at Chelsea last weekend, van Persie proved the difference as he netted the first and then turned provider for both Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta. Wenger lauded the Arsenal skipper's attitude after the 3-0 victory. "I don't know where he ranks [compared to other Arsenal greats]," he said. "The only thing I know is that he is world class. "When I was a kid they had in Germany a ranking of national class, international class and world class. "And in world class were only four or five players, or maybe even 10 players. "I would put him in that calibre." Asked whether there was a better striker in the world right now, he added: "There is some quality there. Of course [Lionel] Messi will win again the best player in the world, deservedly so because he has won everything. "But let's not put too much pressure on Robin, let him enjoy a full season and then we can make a better assessment at the end." Wenger's side dominated throughout at the Emirates and could have netted more were it not for West Brom's resolute defence. "The spirit of the squad was right from the first to last minute," the Frenchman said. "We worked well together and I always was positive with the team because one month ago we were in a very bad situation. "You felt there is a desire to do well and now it goes better it is still there. "This team wants to improve, wants to work hard and wants to get better and better. That is the most satisfying aspect today. "They didn't switch off when they led 2-0 and that is not always the case. "Overall it was a controlled performance. We had complete domination today. "We are getting stronger. We scored five goals last week, three goals today and didn't concede, so overall it is a very positive afternoon." Counterpart Roy Hodgson rejected the notion that West Brom did not work hard enough. Asked whether he agreed that his side looked beaten before they started, he retorted: "I am afraid I have to disagree with you there. "I would even go as far as to say that of all the things that could be levelled at us, that might be the least relevant or least correct comment. "The one thing I think we did do today was put in one hell of a shift and I thought we had to because we were up against a very good Arsenal team in form, who were rampant. "You could accuse of lacking a bit of quality at times, you could accuse us of, in the first half, playing the ball forward too early. You could accuse us of those things and I might agree with you, but one thing I certainly will not agree with you is that the players did not put in a shift. "That is an accusation bordering on the scandalous."