Wenger praises Arsenal youngsters after beating Spurs

LONDON, Dec 2 (Reuters) Manager Arsene Wenger praised his youngsters after Arsenal crushed arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in the Premier League today.

Wenger accepted recent criticism was justified after back-to-back defeats by Bolton Wanderers and Fulham but said Arsenal responded the best way by winning the 152nd north London derby and the first at his club's new Emirates Stadium.

''I thought we were always in charge and showed a fantastic determination to win,'' the Frenchman told reporters. ''It was a vital game for us to do well in.

''We have to accept that at our level we are expected to produce every time. I expect to win and when we don't I expect to be criticised so the criticism recently has been justified.'' Playing without injured captain Thierry Henry, defender William Gallas and suspended centre back Philippe Senderos, Wenger fielded a young side with half the team either teenagers or in their early 20s.

GOOD PLAYERS ''Johan Djourou is 19, Cesc Fabregas is 19, Gael Clichy is 21, they are all good players and the way they played, their attitude and the team's performance was almost even more important than the result,'' said Wenger.

But he also acknowledged two controversial penalty decisions had gone Arsenal's way.

''If we'd have lost at home to Tottenham you couldn't have had a worse preparation for the Champions League match against Porto next week,'' said Wenger.

There was little chance of that happening against a woeful Spurs side who lost for only the second time in 15 matches.

''We have to grow up,'' said Spurs manager Martin Jol. ''We have to be stronger and get hold of the ball. We gave them too much of the ball in midfield.'' Jol did not criticise referee Graham Poll for the two penalty decisions, both spot kicks being converted by Brazilian midfielder Gilberto.

''I am not going to do that, if we had had four or five chances and played well perhaps I might,'' said Jol.

''How can you blame the referee? They were better than us and that's why we lost.'' REUTERS AY KP2226