Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sung the praises of midfielder Cesc Fabregas after his side's 4-0 demolition of Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday. The 21-year-old has made a slow start to the season compared with 12 months ago but Wenger said he was back to his best against Porto even if he is still waiting to get off the mark.

"He was outstanding tonight," Wenger said after two goals each from Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal on top of Group G with four points from two games. "He was good offensively and good defensively and overall it was the complete midfield performance."

It has been a contrasting eight days for Wenger. Last week he sent out the reserves to thrash an experienced Sheffield United side 6-0 in the League Cup.

On Saturday Arsenal's first XI were humbled 2-1 at home by promoted Hull City, provoking an unusually strong response from Wenger who rarely criticises his team in public.

Against Porto he made just one change, Emmanuel Eboue making way for Samir Nasri, and whatever was said on the training ground appeared to work as Arsenal, particularly in the second half, ran riot while the Portuguese crumbled.

Wenger described it as Arsenal's most complete performance of the season and believes they will now go on to win the group, although he still has areas of concern.

"I think away from home we have found a good balance defensively," he said. "At home we are not completely reassuring."

At least four points from the next two games against Turkish side Fenerbahce should virtually secure Arsenal's place in the knockout round. First, though, Wenger wants his side to complete their recovery from the Hull debacle.

"It was the response I wanted (against Porto)," he said. "It is half of the response of the week, the other half comes on Saturday (against Sunderland in the Premier League)."