As we near the end of what has been an eventful first week of the season for Arsenal fans and players alike, the despair and disgust evident at the Villa match has seemingly died down.

After being booed and jeered throughout the 3-1 loss at home to the Midlands side, Arsene Wenger’s depleted side picked themselves up and performed fantastically in Turkey against Fenerbahce.

Wenger’s nostalgia

There were some standout performances in Istanbul, leaving boss Arsene Wenger drawing similarities from last season’s incredible 2-0 Champions League win against Bayern Munich. That night the Arsenal boys triumphed against all odds against the team that would eventually win the competition, after a week  of heavy criticism surrounding their earlier performances.

It was the same story this week, as the Gunners’ week had been full of speculation over who would be joining the club, if anyone. Constant calls for squad replacements cannot be good for team morale, however the comfortable 3-0 victory showed no signs of the competency we saw at the Emirates on Saturday.

“The situation was heated over there,” the boss told Arsenal Player.

“We responded well - we had the kind of attitude we had at Bayern Munich.”

Ramsey shining

One standout performance from the Champions League qualifying game was from young Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey has had a turbulent time at Arsenal since his £5million move from Cardiff, but has been ever present if not prolific.

However against Fenerbahce he played wonderfully, grabbing himself an impressive goal too after good work from Jack Wilshere, and Arsene Wenger believes it is all down to the broken leg he sustained at Stoke in February 2010.

“You know a player who is injured before the age of 20, he gets back to a level he was at before and he improves like nothing has happened before. The stats show that.” Wenger claimed.

“I believe as well the fact that he was out for such a long time, he had to think about his career [and] think about how much he wants it. Sometimes, the suffering in your life, if you turn it in a positive way, can be helpful.” Finished the French boss, ever the philosopher.

We made you, Kos

Wenger also went on to claim how Arsenal have made centre-half Laurent Koscielny the player he is today. Arsenal’s first week of the season was a horrendous one for Koscienly, giving away a penalty and being sent off on Saturday against Villa, before having to leave the pitch against Fenerbahce with a deep cut by his eye.

However the Frenchman who joined the Gunners from Lorient in 2010 is yet to misplace a pass in the first two games.

"He's just another example of the trust we have in players when we bring them in. It was not a spectacular signing at the start but who would deny it today?”

Wenger went on to take a dig at those who lose faith due to the lack of big name signings…

“That's why I'm absolutely sometimes surprised, with all the examples of players that have come here unknown and become great players, that the demand is just on getting big names.”

Sagna willing to slot in

Koscielny is suspended for Saturday’s game at Fulham, meaning that fellow Frenchman and fullback Bacary Sagna will be called upon to move inside to centre-back.

Sagna did have injury concerns of himself before the season started, however he remains the sole option to partner Per Mertesacker in defence at Craven Cottage. Yet Sagna has typically vowed to do his best at centre-back for the Gunners, in an interview with The Mirror:

“I enjoy centre-back because, first of all, you run less, but you have to stay focused mentally all the time and stay strong because it’s all about winning the game.” he summed up.

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