Wiltord's eye for goals brings bonus for Wenger

Arsene Wenger declared Sylvain Wiltord to be one of Arsenal's unsung heroes as he insisted that the Frenchman could help ease the goalscoring burden on Thierry Henry this season.

Wenger believes that Wiltord does not get the credit which his consistent displays for club and country deserve. However, the French international – a club record £12m signing – has already scored four times for Arsenal this season following his double strike against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

While he is naturally a striker, his adaptability has enabled Wenger to solve a headache over his wingers. Even when both Robert Pires and Fredrik Ljungberg were fit last season, Wiltord was still in contention for a spot on the right flank to allow Dennis Bergkamp to link up behind Henry.

However, especially with Pires and Ljungberg now both injured, Wiltord is invaluable as a penetrating right-sided midfielder who can provide a regular supply of goals from midfield.

"I rate Sylvain very highly," Wenger said. "He had a great season last year but he doesn't always get the credit that he deserves for his performances.

"He is a real team player. He's not only a goalscorer but I'm happy that he scores all these goals now."

Wiltord, 28, joined Arsenal two years ago in the wake of his last-gasp equaliser for France in the Euro 2000 final against Italy and 22 goals in 33 games as Bordeaux won the title the year before. He struck 16 goals in his first season at Highbury, six of which were in the FA Cup, followed by 17 last season in 41 starts and 13 substitute appearances.

The feeling is that he only started to show his best form for Arsenal towards the end of last season and Wenger can see room for further improvement.

"He is a tremendous asset to us and I feel he will get better," Wenger added. "Sometimes he does not catch the eye like other players but you look at the way he works and see how many goals – important goals – he scores for us.

"It was Wiltord who scored the winner at Manchester United last season. People forget that. And that was another vital goal he got at West Ham last Saturday to earn a draw.

"There is also the number of goals and openings he creates for others. He may be underrated by some people but not by anyone at Arsenal."

Arsenal's attacking strength is shown by the fact that they were last night without Francis Jeffers, who is slowly regaining full fitness after lengthy ankle problems, and Bergkamp, who is out for two weeks with a calf problem.

Neither Henry or Nwankwo Kanu found the target, but still they scored five against a spirited but defensively vulnerable West Bromwich side at Highbury. Wiltord was joined on the scoresheet by Ashley Cole, Lauren and substitute Jérémie Aliadière, a richly talented teenager who will surely make his breakthrough this season.

"We had such a domination in the first half that the danger came from everywhere and that is very positive. I know that everyone can score," said Wenger.

"Jérémie is a great box player but all credit to Thierry. He didn't score but he produced great assists for Sylvain and Jeremie."

Henry may have struck 54 goals in the past two seasons, but he still cannot be expected to carry the goalscoring burden alone. That is where Wiltord's burgeoning development will help Arsenal.

* Arsenal are interested in the Argentinian goalkeeper Sebastian Saja, according to Saja's club, San Lorenzo. The £3m-rated 23-year-old was due to fly home from London last night after spending two days with his agent in discussions at Highbury. An Arsenal official watched Saja play in San Lorenzo's 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires last Sunday.