Thursday 29 September 2016 08:18, UK
![Arsene Wenger [centre] was delighted with his side's first-half display](https://e0.365dm.com/16/09/768x432/arsenal-arsene-wenger-basel-champions-league_3796265.jpg?20160929095618)
Arsene Wenger hailed Arsenal's "top quality" first-half performance in their 2-0 Champions League win over Basel on Wednesday night.
Two goals from the in-form Theo Walcott inside the first 26 minutes at the Emirates sent the Gunners on their way to a comfortable victory over their Swiss opponents.
Wenger's side were dominant in an impressive opening 45 minutes and could have been further ahead at half-time but for the performance of Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.
The hosts cruised to a first Champions League win of the season after the break, and the Arsenal boss was thrilled by his team's first-half display.
"In the first half it was a game of top quality," he said. "The pace, the quality of our movement, the technical quality. We created many dangerous situations.
"I would like to congratulate my team for the quality of what they produced tonight. My only regret is that we didn't take enough of our chances. But it's a good basis to get a taste for more.
"In the second half we eased off a bit. We couldn't score the third goal. But it's difficult to maintain that pace for 90 minutes, that accuracy in the passing with the speed of the game. But I think the first half was top, top quality."
Walcott's double means he has now scored five goals in seven games, and Wenger said the attacker's form bodes well for his England hopes.
"The best recommendation is his performances," Wenger added. "If you take the best Englishmen and you see him play tonight it's difficult to ignore him. But I'll leave that to [Gareth] Southgate now."
Speaking before the match, Walcott put his improved form down to a change in mindset following a conversation with Wenger, but after the game the Arsenal boss returned credit to his player.
"It's not the chat that makes you score goals," he said. "He assessed well where he stands and rectified well what he has to add to his game. That's down to him, 95 per cent down to him.
"The team has interesting potential so we have to be ambitious but keep our feet on the ground and continue to develop.
"We know exactly how we want to play football and we have to continue to stick to that and get better. That demands big focus and some leadership in the squad and as well some humility.
"I think we were a bit edgy at home for a few games, but now we look like we are playing with pace. Now it's down to us to continue to improve. I think we can do better. That'll be down to humility. We start tomorrow morning again and we focus on our next game."
