Wenger hails fightback

Wenger: Hopeful

I am proud that we came back from 2-0 down against such a good side.

Arsene Wenger
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Arsene Wenger hailed Arsenal's comeback against Barcelona and insisted they can still beat the European champions.

The Gunners were second best for most of the match at the Emirates on Wednesday evening in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

And Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace early in the second half was no more than Barca deserved.

But Theo Walcott's introduction inspired Arsenal's fightback as he fired home with 20 minutes left, before captain Cesc Fabregas scored from the penalty spot after being felled by Carles Puyol.

And Wenger admitted he was delighted with his side's efforts.

"I am proud that we came back from 2-0 down against such a good side," he told Sky Sports.

"It was a great footballing night overall with two teams who never stopped going forward.

"I believe they were mightily ahead of us in the first 30 minutes, we came back into it slowly and in the second half it was much more balanced."

Regret

Wenger admits he was disappointed with the way his side went behind in the second half.

"The regret I have tonight is that we gave two cheap goals away against a side who can finish real chances without you giving them," he said.

"But it showed great strength to come back and if we can manage to be organised in Barcelona then I think we have a chance."

Injuries

Wenger feels his side have learned a lesson from the game, adding: "They have learned a game tonight, they have met a team that can move the ball quicker than us.

"People will come home thinking that Barca will have no problems in the second leg because they played great, (but) I am convinced we will have a big say in this qualification."

After scoring his penalty Fabregas aggravated his knee injury and looks set to be sidelined for a number of weeks, but he had to stay on the pitch as Wenger had ran out of substitutes.

"I believe he will be out now for a while, he is suspended for the second leg anyway too but for Wolves on Saturday he is definitely out," he said.

"I had to calculate, as I had to bring Emmanuel Eboue on [for the injured Andrei Arshavin] because I thought we had to keep it 0-0 whilst they were dominant, but when William Gallas went off that cut my options.

"If I could have changed Fabregas, maybe we could have scored a second goal."