Arsene Wenger refused to get carried away after Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaign with their biggest opening day win under the Frenchman. The Gunners were 3-0 up at half-time against a side which finished fifth last season, but Wenger merel

Arsene Wenger refused to get carried away after Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaign with their biggest opening day win under the Frenchman.

The Gunners were 3-0 up at half-time against a side which finished fifth last season, but Wenger merely claimed it was a "good basis" for the rest of the season.

"There is still room for improvement, not on the scoreline but in what we did," he said. "But overall I am very happy with the team attitude basically ... we look like we have matured."

Denilson swept home his first goal for the club on 26 minutes before headers for debut boy Thomas Vermaelen and defensive partner William Gallas made it 3-0 at the break.

Skipper Cesc Fabregas netted twice after the interval before substitute Eduardo hit a sixth late on.

Louis Saha ruined Manuel Almunia's clean sheet in injury time but it was little consolation as the visitors hit four or more at Goodison Park for the third time in five years.

"We have gone from being ruled out by everybody, to now becoming a super favourite, I think these two extremes are good," added Wenger.

"People are surprised, but last year we were the team that scored more goals than anybody away from home and we've an unbeaten run in the Premier League away from home.

"Of course it's a big surprise to win with such a big score but we know we can win away from home."

It was Everton's heaviest home defeat since 1958, when the Gunners thrashed them by the same scoreline thanks to four goals from David Herd.