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Arsenal boss Wenger thrilled with England success

Through a combination of injury and suspension, national team boss Steve McClaren suddenly fell upon a winning formula, with the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Gareth Barry and in particular Emile Heskey all drawing great praise for their performances against Israel and Russia.

Wenger knows all about the intricacies of having to strike the right balance, with the side now remoulded following the departure of talisman Thierry Henry to Barcelona during the summer.

The French coach accepts it is a "subtle" art.

Wenger said: "I am very happy finally that England has done very well in the last two games because it was always the same uncertainty here in England, 'Are we good enough? Do we over-rate the players? The other countries win, and we do not.

"It is fantastic for the game here, and it shows for example that players like Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey, they were two very important players in the last two games.

"That shows how quickly things change in the game."

Wenger added: "A very famous manager, Rinus Michels, once said the balance of the team depends on one player, not more. And that is why team sport is so subtle as well.

"You always look as a manager to find that perfect balance.

"It is like an engine, sometimes you think okay 'We are not creative enough, I put one more offensive player in there.' And suddenly you disrupt everything."

Arsenal have impressed during the opening few matches of the new season, and take an unbeaten record into this weekend's north London derby with Tottenham at White Hart Lane ahead of the start of the group stages of the Champions League.

"Is the balance right now in my team? It looks, yes. But the big games will show it," added Wenger.

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