The Catalans missed a host of chances in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg at the Emirates Stadium before a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after half-time put them in control.
But Arsenal rallied and the introduction of Theo Walcott as a substitute proved pivotal as he pulled one back. Cesc Fabregas won a penalty for the Gunners after Carles Puyol brought him down and was sent-off. The captain scored against his former club to give Arsenal a fighting chance in the second-leg at the Nou Camp next week.
long spells
It was put to Wenger afterwards that his side were outplayed for long spells, and he replied: “I don’t deny that. They are an outstanding team but I believe that most of the shots on goal they had were in the first part of the game.
“At 2-0 we were in a position where you play against a great side and you have to throw everything forward. You know you can be caught with another goal.”
The Frenchman admitted being dominated for long spells at the Emirates was difficult to swallow.
“It is not easy, believe me, but you respect it more than when you are kicked,” he added. “I respect what Barcelona did and you have to say they are a great side.
“They won the European Cup, the Spanish championship, the Spanish Cup, and you can see why. I still believe that a part of their superiority was down to their inhibition at the start of the match. We gave them too much room in the first part of the game.”
“I respect what Barcelona did and you have to say they are a great side” – Arsene Wenger
Credits: PremierLeague.com
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