ARSENAL F.C. PUTS SEVEN PAST CROATIA'S SLAVIA

Arsenal gave Arsene Wenger the perfect birthday present as they produced a sensational display to thrash Slavia Prague 7-0 in the Champions League yesterday.

Wenger turned 58 on Monday but the Gunners manager had insisted the only thing he wanted to celebrate was three points after his team’s Group H match at the Emirates Stadium.

His players ensured he wasn’t disappointed with a breath-taking show that was surely the equal of anything produced in Europe this season.

Cesc Fabregas, Aleksandr Hleb and Theo Walcott scored twice each and Nicklas Bendtner got one to complete the rout, yet the Premier League leaders could easily have hit double figures.

Wenger’s side have now won 12 consecutive matches and are playing the kind of fantasy football that is a joy to behold.