Arsenal 3 Plymouth 1:THIS GAME finished comfortably enough for Arsene Wenger and his team but the Frenchman was frank when later reassessing his priorities for a season that threatens to become the fourth without a trophy. And he also conceded that criticism of a Premier League campaign that has left Arsenal dawdling 10 points behind Liverpool has become a real concern for his players and for morale at the club.

"I was conscious it was a difficult game and that we could not afford to slip up at home in the third round because we've had enough negative publicity," Wenger said of the side he chose against Argyle that, injuries apart, missed only Emmanuel Adebayor and Manuel Almunia.

"I felt the team is coming up in confidence again and I didn't want to cut that. At the moment we're not in a position where we can choose the competitions - if that happens, we'll do it later. But at the moment it's important for the club and the team to go through. You could see with some Cup results, like Chelsea and Man City, that it is very tight, and our game was not an easy game."

While Mark Hughes might be concerned following City's 3-0 humiliation at home to Nottingham Forest and Chelsea have a tricky replay at Southend, Wenger understands that the FA Cup is arguably his most realistic chance of finally delivering again, four long years after claiming the trophy against Manchester United on penalties.

Before facing Roma in the last 16 of the Champions League at the end of February his team play Bolton, Hull, Everton, West Ham, Tottenham and Sunderland in the league. All are eminently winnable. And to stand any real chance of reducing the gap Arsenal will have to make sure they do win them.

Wenger might also argue that his team are more suited to European football. But as the Champions League is currently dominated by the same English teams Arsenal currently trail, it is a moot point.

Here Wenger's team progressed to the fourth round only because Plymouth tired, having failed to capitalise on Arsenal's undoubted fragility.

On numerous occasions high balls frightened the defensive pairing of William Gallas and Johan Djourou or were spilled by Lukasz Fabianski.

Argyle's goal came from a dropped catch by the Polish goalkeeper which allowed Karl Duguid to score. Suddenly the security offered by Robin van Persie's strike and David Gray's own-goal - both arriving after the interval - had vanished. And although Van Persie added Arsenal's third five minutes from time, the home support left unconvinced.

Afterwards Van Persie spoke about the importance of the Cup to him. "For me it is a big thing because the FA Cup has a big history going back a hundred years. I was lucky enough to win it in my first year and I hope to win it this year as well," he said. "I know it is going to be difficult because you can draw teams that give absolutely everything. There are big tests coming up but hopefully we can go far and make the final."

Wenger added: "If you go through to the quarter-finals and then semi-finals of the Champions League then you have a choice to make with the FA Cup."

In failing to mention the Premier League in this equation he appeared to concede it is beyond Arsenal. If so, a fourth-place finish to secure Champions League football is the very least he must achieve to avoid a serious inquiry.