LONDON -- Arsene Wenger praised Aaron Ramsey's improved finishing after the Arsenal midfielder scored an impressive brace in Thursday's 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal.
Ramsey put Arsenal ahead with a well-placed strike in the ninth minute and then made it 3-1 with the goal of the night, when he met Mesut Ozil's cross with a perfectly executed side-footed lob over goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
He could easily have had a hat trick but missed two good chances in the second half, first firing a rebound well high over the bar and then hitting the post with a curling shot from the edge of the area.
And Wenger said the Wales international is showing some of his best form since his breakout season in 2013-14 after managing to stay largely injury-free in recent months.
"For Aaron Ramsey it's always the same, [he needs to] have a consistent presence in the side without being stopped," Wenger told a news conference. "Personally I think he has overcome his problems. He has no injury problems at all anymore.
"And when you can play game after game, you can see that not only is he involved a lot in the build-up of the game but he goes to the end of things.
"And what has changed since 2013, he's a much better finisher nowadays. He's calmer, the way he finishes, you see he is composed. Before he rushed a little bit his finishing."
Alexandre Lacazette also scored a first-half brace in his first start since returning from a minor knee operation as the Gunners put at least one foot in the semifinals. Wenger, though said the Russian side made things "uncomfortable" for his team and insisted that the tie isn't over.
"It was a spectacular first half played at a high pace but as well an uncomfortable one for me, because they looked dangerous as well," Wenger said. "We scored some great goals in the first half, and at half-time the target was to not concede anymore, and if possible add another one. We did the first part of the job in the second half, but not the second part of the job.
"But on the other hand it will help us to focus completely on the second game and not think it's job done. We know it's not over. We have to go there with the right focus and try to win the game. ...
"They played in a very offensive style. We are not used to seeing that at the Emirates. In the Premier League teams come here and they play in their half and they wait for us. They had a go at us, and it was uncomfortable."
Wenger also singled out Mesut Ozil for praise after the German playmaker produced another two assists and also won a penalty that was put away by Lacazette.
"He enjoys [this stage]. And I hope you enjoy it because you see a great football player," Wenger said. "And when you love football that's what you want to see"