Arsene Wenger felt his players were worthy of their win at Wigan but gave credit to Steve Bruce's side.
Gunners chief hails players after dominant second half
Arsene Wenger felt his players were worthy of their win at Wigan but gave credit to Steve Bruce's side after what was an entertaining game at The JJB.
The proverbial contest of two halves saw Arsenal go into the break trailing to Mido's goal, only to come out after the interval and overrun their hosts to claim an impressive 4-1 victory.
Following their UEFA Champions League game in Villarreal in midweek it was perhaps no surprise Arsenal were somewhat sluggish in the first period - with Wenger conceding as much post-match.
"I thought it was a very difficult game, I felt Wigan played a real cup game and gave everything," he told
Sky Sports.
"There were a few turning points but in the end our quality of course and character took us through.
"I felt we played a little bit on the back foot in the first half and that we needed to be more positive, get much more support to our strikers and be dangerous. I thought we did that very well in the second half.
"Our collective play took over and we looked dangerous everytime we got the ball."
Crucial decision
The game arguably hinged on an incident on the stroke of half-time when referee Alan Wiley elected to book Kieran Gibbs rather than produce a red card, when it looked as though the Arsenal starlet had been guilty of a professional foul on Antonio Valencia.
Wenger, though, felt substitute Mikael Silvestre had got back to cover his team-mate and backed Wiley's interpretation.
"I think so," he added, when asked if a correction decision had been called.
"But it's very difficult from the bench. That's the impression I got.
"It could have gone both ways. I think Silvestre had got back already behind Gibbs. I felt as well our goalkeeper would have got the ball but I'll have to check that again."
Arsenal's win was soured somewhat with the news Johan Djourou faces a spell on the sidelines after he suffered a knee injury that forced him off in the first half.
"It doesn't look too good, it's the knee. It's never a question of days, it's more weeks."
