Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger joyous as his road warriors thrash Hull 

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Arsene Wenger is used to playing catch-up in the Premier League title race - and admits he his team already have work to do to keep the pace with Manchester City.

After seeing his side stroll to a 4-1 triumph at 10-man Hull City the Frenchman conceded that Pep Guardiola’s men, already five points ahead of Arsenal, are in impressive form.

‘At the moment, they are the better team as well as the most consistent,’ Wenger said. ‘We have to play catch up a little bit but hopefully we can do that.’

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal team strolled past Hull at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday

The Gunners manager, however, pointed to City’s explosive start last season, in which they eventually finished fourth.

‘I would prefer to be five points ahead,’ he added. ‘But it’s only five games played. Last year, Man City won their first five games.’

As sure as night follows day, Arsenal win at Hull. Saturday’s victory was their seventh in a row on Humberside, where their last defeat came in 1915. It follows a 3-1 triumph at Watford and Wenger’s men appear to be liberated away from the angst of the Emirates.

It is not lost on the manager, who refused to blame the club’s home support, but acknowledged life on the road is good.

‘We scored three at Watford and we scored four here,’ Wenger noted. ‘Away from home we look more convincing at the moment than at home.’

He believes the aftershocks of the seismic opening day 4-3 defeat to Liverpool are still being felt in north London.

The Gunners are now playing catch-up in the Premier League title race

‘When we lost our first game it was a mental shock for us and for our supporters. Straight away you have a little bit of scepticism and doubt in your head. The positivity comes from us, from our attitude. 

We have to think that we get the supporters behind us when our performances are convincing and not the other way around.’

A goal from a flying Theo Walcott, two from makeshift striker Alexis Sanchez and a screamer from new boy Granit Xhaka, secured the win and made a Robert Snodgrass penalty irrelevant.

However, academy product Alex Iwobi stood out for the visitors with a display full of energy and no little skill.

Iwobi, 20, is the nephew of Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha, and Wenger is hoping he can follow his uncle’s lead.

‘He’s a good example!’ he said. ‘You’ve seen his qualities and I don’t really need to describe that, but what I like is his love for the game, his passion for the game and his hard work. 

Alex Iwobi stood out for the visitors with a display full of energy and skill

Those things together in our world are a big quality and so I think he has interesting ingredients, but one game does not make a career.’ 

Hull interim boss Mike Phelan, whose side’s chances evaporated following Jake Livermore’s first-half dismissal, spent yesterday looking over the finer points of a contract he was offered last week to turn his role into a permanent one.

The 53-year-old, who had six years as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United, was in no doubt who he would turn to for advice while mulling over the paperwork.

‘My wife!’ the Lancastrian said. ‘I don’t need to speak to people in the game. I know where I want to go and what I want to do. It’s a case of speaking to the people who can make that happen.’

Phelan is expecting to sign the deal, despite the Tigers ongoing takeover continuing to drag like a seal’s backside.

‘We have got stage where there is an offer and it’s just a case of making sure everything is correct and we can get on with it,’ he said.

‘It’s something I have always wanted to have a go at.’

Wenger (right) shakes hands with Hull interim boss Mike Phelan (left)