Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has had a mixed fortnight after Champions League defeat in the Ukraine and further controversy surrounding striker Robin Van Persie’s international duties followed domestic on-field success.

The Gunners moved into second place in the EPL after overcoming stubborn resistance from a plucky West Ham side at the Emirates last Saturday.

Alexandre Song’s 88^th-minute header gave Arsenal victory after they dominated possession and chances in their usual manner.

 

The victory came after a 4-0 Carling Cup success for a young Gunners line-up against a similarly weakened Newcastle at St. James’s Park.

Arsenal could have won the tie within ten minutes after a host of early chances, but had to rely on an unfortunate own goal by Toon keeper Tim Krull in first-half stoppage time to lead at half-time.

Theo Walcott sped clear to double the Gunners’ advantage after the break and late goals from Niklas Bendtner and a second from Walcott completed the victory.

Arsenal will have a home tie with EPL strugglers Wigan Athletic on November 30^th in the quarter-finals.

Wenger’s policy has been to play young sides in the competition. But he told last month’s Arsenal Holdings AGM that he would “go for every single competition with every resource we have.”

It was, however, an understrength line-up which fell to its first Champions League defeat of the season this week, losing 2-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk despite a trademark Theo Walcott goal after only 10 minutes.

The hosts equalised when young Craig Eastmond diverted a header into his own net and popular ex-Arsenal striker Eduardo scored the winner on the stroke of half-time – refusing to celebrate ostentatiously out of respect for his former employees.

Wenger said afterwards that Arsenal were “still in a strong position in the group” but criticised his team for “a kind of complacency problem more than an individual problem.”

One of Arsenal’s better players in Donetsk was 19-year-old Jack Wilshere, who revealed this week that he has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The club have refused to reveal the exact length of the deal but Wilshere was reported to have signed a “long-term” deal in July 2009 and this new deal is an “extension.”

Another Arsenal young gun, Aaron Ramsey, is expected back from long-term injury and is due to return to full training this week.

Ramsey, whose leg was broken at Stoke in February, was reportedly ready to make his first re-appearance this month, but Wenger said: “You have to give him at least a month with the reserve team.”

Wenger expressed surprise at a quicker-than-expected return to action when striker Robin Van Persie was selected for the Holland squad to play Turkey in an Amsterdam friendly on November 17^th.

Wenger claimed last week that Van Persie had “no chance” of an international call-up, saying: “I think the Dutch coach has a good sense of humour.”

This week, an unamused Wenger said: “He’s not played with us or practised with the group so I’m quite surprised he’s in.”