After watching his side contest a 120-minute epic with Roma in midweek, there were worries that the Gunners may be vulnerable to an upset when they returned to Barclays Premier League duty yesterday.

But Arshavin is cup-tied in Europe because of his earlier exploits with Zenit St Petersburg and was recalled to the starting line-up, along with fit-again England winger Theo Walcott, to freshen up the Arsenal front line.

Both men put in head-turning displays in the 4-0 romp. But while Walcott's status as a Gunners hero in the making was already assured, it was the first time the Emirates faithful have been able to see their January signing in full flow.

Arshavin thought he had his first goal for the club after just 80 seconds, but a hefty deflection off Andre Ooijer means that is likely to go down as an own goal.

There was no doubt about Arsenal's second, though - Arshavin cutting in from the left touchline, coasting past Danny Simpson and lifting the ball deftly into the roof of the net.

For Wenger, his performance was vindication of a vigorous training regime the player has undergone to get him up to speed with the English game.

"He has worked hard. I think he's quite surprised how hard he's worked," said the Frenchman.

"But I think he is a man of challenges. To leave St Petersburg, where he was the star, and to go to England at 28 years of age and to say 'okay, I want to start it all again', you need to have character and to like challenges.

"He has had a full pre-season (training programme) because in Russia they had stopped. In his first game, people saw him having had only 10 days' training."

Asked about the qualities Arshavin brings to Arsenal, Wenger was equally impressed by his technique and his experience.

"I like players like him who, in the final third, can give you hope and create something you don't expect. I felt we needed that with the players we have and with the type of game we like to play.

"But also he has won before and he has experience. We are very, very young.

"We sold (Alexander) Hleb, and (Tomas) Rosicky we have lost for 14 months. They were in the right age category, between 27 and 30, and we were a bit short at that level."

Wenger also had praise for substitute Emmanuel Eboue, who came on as a second-half substitute to score twice.

Eboue has endured his toughest season yet in north London and has been barracked at times by the home supporters.

But he had one of his better days as he converted Arshavin's parried effort and then slotted home an injury-time penalty.

"I am pleased that he has started to score goals, because he looked to us that he might never score," said Wenger.

"It shows also the importance of a psychological factor, because he scored last week and again this week. If he had not scored the first goal and not scored last week he would certainly not have taken the penalty; that shows the importance of confidence."

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce was left more disappointed about three new additions to his growing injury list than the result itself, as he eyes a tense struggle against relegation.

"It was a bad day for us - not just the result but with key players getting injured, including Ryan Nelsen before the game," he said.

"He felt his thigh on Wednesday; Gael Givet was also struggling, so he had to come off - and Stephen Warnock said he couldn't continue.

"We just have to take this result on the chin, but the injuries have devastated the squad.

"We need the players fit - we need Roque Santa Cruz back; we need Vince Grella fit. We know we haven't got Stephen Reid or Brett Emerton for the rest of the season, so the others are crucial to us."