Arsene Wenger was happy to see his Arsenal side not take the foot off the pedal against Coventry City in the League Cup third-round game.
Arsenal cruised to a comfortable 6-1 victory, thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andrey Arshavin, Ignasi Miquel and Theo Walcott.
"I think we did our job," Wenger said. "In the first half we were tested, defensively mainly. In the second half our offensive potential made the difference when they tired a little bit.
"From then on of course you had Arshavin, Walcott, Chamberlain and Giroud, who were always a threat. That made the difference, the difference of quality made a big impact on the result in the end.
"But you have to respect Coventry because they gave a lot, they never gave up and they did fight for every single ball from the first to the last minute. When they got tired it became easier for us. It was a classical tie when you need to be serious, and we were serious."
Wenger was happy to see Giroud score his first goal for Arsenal and get the monkey off his back. "It was in everybody's mind that the sooner he gets it the better," Wenger said. "Certainly in his mind much more than in others' minds.
"That is positive of course. It was a good finish and he is a good finisher, Olivier. At the moment I believe he is looking for confidence again and that goal will help him. I expect him to take that confidence into the Premier League."
Wenger reiterated his desire to keep Walcott at the Emirates, despite failing to come to a new deal. The 23-year-old forward has less than a year remaining on his current contract. "We all want him to stay," Wenger added. "I always said exactly the same.
"I always said let's hope that we can sign up and extend (his contract). I speak to Theo of course. To his agents? We are always in touch with them and you have to give us some time to sort that out."
Wenger was also impressed by Arshavin's performance after the forward played in a more central role. "Arshavin's best position looks to be behind the striker now because that's where his vision, the creative side of his game, can be very efficient," the manager said. "When he has to work on the flank it is sometimes working against him because he has to work too hard up and down. But when he's central he always had an influence on the game."
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