Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says his team has learned to play without skipper Cesc Fabregas.

"We have had to learn to play without Cesc," said Wenger. "I believe we will all be happy when Cesc comes back but we had to cope without him and of course, it will be a big lift for everybody when he's back.

"When he's there, everything goes through him but when he's not it take a while to adapt.

"The only thing I would say is I believe the team has grown, matured and is mentally stronger. Our difficult circumstances have matured the team. Me and the players are convinced that they feel much stronger than in September or in August."