Arsenal can complete Barcelona win, says Arsene Wenger
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is trying his best not to get carried away by his team’s performance, after Arsenal beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first leg of the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates.
However, Wenger insists that despite Barcelona being the favourites, Arsenal stand a great chance of finishing the job at Camp Nou in the second leg, where they will meet on 8 March, 2011.
Wenger said that his team is much better and stronger this season compared to last year. The Arsenal boss added that his team is full of confidence after the win at home.
“Im very proud for Arsenal FC. Everyone urged us to play differently to our nature. This win can strengthen belief in our philosophy, which is more important than pride,” said the pleased Frenchman.
English midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463, who was excellent in the game, echoed the thoughts of his manager. Wilshere said that it was a fantastic game and a deserved result for the Gunners. He added that Arsenal showed great character to bounce back after being
a goal down in the first half. The 19-year old said that a team like Barcelona rarely offers any chances, and it was an excellent comeback by his team.
Wilshere said that the first 20 minutes or so of the game left Arsenal chasing shadows, and Barcelona dominated the proceedings in all areas of the game. He added that the whole team was prepared for something like that, and did not panic when they were
not able to get the ball.
“We just had to keep our shape and in the second half, we knew we could hit them on the counter-attack,” he said.
“We had to go up a level in the second half and we passed it around better. We had to carry on playing the Arsenal
way,” the young gun added.
Last year, Barcelona outplayed Arsenal off the park in the first 45 minutes. However in the 2nd half Young guns of Wenger grew in confidence and made it 2-2 from 2 nil down. However this time round Arsenal did not let the Catalans go home with
two away goals.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League; they made it to the final in 2006, but were beaten by Barcelona 2-1.
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