The Gunners remain behind Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United only on goal difference, and produced a workmanlike display to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Wenger is grateful Adebayor did not follow Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song to the African Nations Cup after Togo failed to qualify.

The Arsenal boss declared: "In the past, he has sometimes ended up going out to the flanks because he so wants to be involved in play - but that drags him away from where he can be lethal.

"We have been telling him that for a while and he was more focused on being central today which is good.

"He has an unbelievable jump, he times his jumps very well and he's terrific in those situations."

Wenger quipped: "I must confess I wasn't devastated when Togo didn't qualify.

"It would have been difficult without Adebayor although we do have players who are coming on very well like Eduardo, (Nicklas) Bendtner and (Theo) Walcott.

"He has personality and he is now focused on his achievements here.

"He is also the main striker now and he gives us an added dimension with his headers."

Arsenal always looked in control having weathered a bright start by Fulham in blustery conditions.

Croatian forward Eduardo had moved out to the left in the second half, and it was his run and centre which lead to a third, when Tomas Rosicky volleyed in from close range with nine minutes left.

Wenger said: "We were in control for 90 minutes. We gave a strong response, scored early goals, kept things tight defensively and were technically very good.

"It shows that the team wants to do it this season, especially after a disappointing result last week against Birmingham and that they can come back in a very strong way."

Wenger added: "We scored three goals from crosses, which is quite unusually for us - but that shows we have a variety now in our game which allows us to deal with any kind of resistance we get."

Despite another home defeat, Fulham's plight at the wrong end of the table was not deepened by results elsewhere.

Manager Roy Hodgson, though, knows he needs more bodies in if the Cottagers - currently five points adrift - are to beat the drop.

A £5million move for Watford striker Marlon King is "on-going", with Hodgson maintaining he was "unaware" of any complications with the deal, amid reports today of a failed medical.

The Fulham manager said: "It is an on-going situation and everyone is still talking about it - the clubs and the agents, the player.

"We just hope that the matter will be resolved in the coming days and we hope it will be."

Hodgson, who is also in negotiations with Korean forward Cho Jae Jin, insisted: "I am not aware of anything other than it being an on-going situation and the clubs discussing the matter."

The Fulham boss lamented his side's inability to build on what had been a positive opening.

He said: "We had started quite brightly and seeing we were playing against a good team, we were quite comfortable.

"But the first goal meant they had their tails up and once the second went in, the second half was always going to be difficult.

"We are not creating many opportunities or pressure and in the wide areas we didn't win enough challenges."

Hogdson added: "We have to get to winning matches because the later we leave it, the harder it will become.

"I think we can do it.

"People are realistic. But I have to say I don't think the players have given up and if we bring in some new faces, that will improve the spirit even more.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a work in progress and we're up for that work. We know where we have to improve."