(AFP) – Jan 19, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Arsene Wenger believes Emmanuel Adebayor's absence from the African Nations Cup will help Arsenal stay in the thick of the Premier League title race after the Togo striker destroyed Fulham.

Adebayor took his season's tally to 15 with a brace of identical headers as the Gunners cruised to a 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Wenger made no attempt to play down Adebayor's contribution, although the Frenchman did admit his relief that the powerful forward was even available for this crucial phase of the campaign.

The 23-year-old would have been ruled out for up to six weeks had Togo qualified for the African Nations Cup. Instead, they were edged out by Mali and Adebayor was able to stay in London, much to his manager's delight.

"I must confess I wasn't devastated when Togo didn't qualify!" Wenger joked. "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.

"We had to pick him up a little bit when Togo didn't qualify but he is a mentally strong-willed guy. 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.

"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've 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 had every right to feel satisfied with his afternoon's work. After last week's disappointing home draw with Birmingham, this trip across London saw Arsenal return to something like their sparkling best.

Not that there was anything pretty about the team's opening two goals. Adebayor leapt highest to convert Gael Clichy's cross in the 19th minute and repeated the trick from Alexander Hleb's centre seven minutes before half-time.

The second half saw Arsenal weave gorgeous patterns of passing play, which were finally rewarded nine minutes from the end when Tomas Rosicky converted Eduardo's low centre.

It was not enough to take the Gunners back to the top of the table - Manchester United's win at Reading saw to that - but even that could not spoil Wenger's mood.

"We were in control for 90 minutes," he added. "We gave a strong reponse, 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."

For Fulham, there was no silver lining. Roy Hodgson's team were hopelessly out-classed and they remain five points adrift of safety, with time and hope running out.

Hodgson wants to continue his spending spree next week, with the strikers Marlon King and Cho Jae-Jin both set to sign, but his concern must be that reinforcements will arrive too late to prevent relegation.

"I still think we can do it," he insisted. "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."

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