There is life after Henry says boss Wenger

Trailing 1-0 at the break at the home of north London arch-rivals Tottenham, the Gunners hit back with a devastating second-half salvo to claim all three points.

Two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor either side of Cesc Fabregas’ 80th-minute rocket cancelled out Gareth Bale’s opener as the visitors finally made the most of their chances.

A first derby victory without talismanic striker Henry following his departure for Barcelona cemented a solid start to the season and left Wenger confident about the future.

He said: “Having lost Thierry, it has helped the belief and mental strength of the team to start well.”

“We never forget Thierry, but we know that the team is blossoming and growing. There is something in the side: quality, of course, but also mental strength. I hope the good form continues.”

But while Wenger, who earlier this month signed a three-year contract extension, left Spurs content with his lot, opposite number Martin Jol did so with the pressure on his shoulders increasing by the day.

Manchester City moved to within a point of Arsenal thanks to Michael Johnson’s second-half winner against Aston Villa yesterday.

Fellow midfielder Dietmar Hamann insists the club must keep up their excellent start to the season at Eastlands to have any hope of qualifying for Europe.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men have so far won three out of three at home with no goals conceded.

Hamann told Sky Sports: “Last year, we had a very bad home record, and I think that’s key this year - to pick up enough points and wins, get a few wins away from home.”

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had no doubts about what had gone wrong after his side were denied what would have been a winning goal at home to Blackburn in a game which ended 0-0.