Thaindian News

London, Apr 1(ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that striker Theo Walcott’s match-changing substitute appearance against Barcelona on Wednesday has given his club the confidence they need to progress into the Champions League semi-finals.

An injury-hit and patched-up Arsenal will face Barcelona in the return quarterfinal game at the Nou Camp on Tuesday without skipper Cesc Fabregas, defender William Gallas and winger Andrey Arshavi, but Wenger insists there are still reasons to be cheerful.

“Theo had a huge impact when he came on, absolutely fantastic. He has qualities which can be useful on a big pitch like the Nou Camp. He can do it against them,” The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

Wenger further said that the team has to study how they can be dominant against a strong team like Barcelona and win the ball back.

“We played against a great team who were dominant in the early part of the game. That’s where we were lucky as they had a lot of chances. We gave them too much room. But I give a lot of credit to my players because they kept in the tie even at 2-0,” Wenger said.

“When we won the ball back we looked dangerous against them. It was a good match. It was art, art of football, but it was art. It was a great night for the people who watched, with two teams who went for it. It was an exceptional football night, of course,” he added.

Meanwhile, Walcott, who has been promising throughout the season and scored a goal after he was introduced in the second half, said: “It was good to show what I can do. It’s been frustrating not starting more, but we have a lot of experience now. In the past, like against Manchester United last season when we lost 3-1, we dropped our heads. But now, the spirits stay high.”

“We did well to hit back with two goals. I thought 2-2 was a fair result after all the possession we had late on,” Walcott said. (ANI)