Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his understrength side’s gutsy penalty win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Tuesday proves the Gunners can yet salvage something from the season.
Arsenal are as good as out of the running for the Premiership, trailing Chelsea by 10 points, and have to make up a 3-1 deficit against Bayern Munich next week in the Uefa Champions League.
And they were not given much hope when injuries and suspension deprived them of nine first-team players — Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Jose-Antonio Reyes, Robin van Persie, Sol Campbell, Robert Pires, Gilberto Edu and Justin Hoyte.
But Arsenal, better known under Wenger for pretty football rather than battling performances, dug deep to clinch a place in the sixth round of the FA Cup, where they will face Bolton later this month.
After a 1-1 draw at Highbury 11 days ago, the sides could not be separated by another 120 goalless minutes before the Gunners clinched a penalty shoot-out with their Championship challengers.
United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, hero throughout the game with a string of fine saves, was beaten from the spot on each occasion by Lauren, skipper Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Ashley Cole.
Arsenal’s Manuel Almunia captured the glory with saves from Jon Harley and Alan Quinn for a 4-2 victory after Andy Gray and Phil Jagielka had scored.
”We can be proud of our performance because we had a very young-generation, inexperienced side out there,” Wenger said.
”We have shown not only quality, but real character and determination that is needed at the top level, and I am very proud of the attitude of the boys.
”I am very positive. For a while, the team has looked as if it has missed that fraction of success our game should allow us to have, but we got it in this game.
”What I am very happy about is that it didn’t come easy. We needed to be tough, strong and focused. The attitude of the team was completely right.
”I now hope this is a turning point because on Saturday we came back from Southampton frustrated, and previously we came back from Munich frustrated, and this could have been frustrating again.”
Wenger is also hoping the match will prove a turning point for Almunia, who has faced the flak this season — along with fellow Gunners keeper Jens Lehmann — for a number of poor performances, not least those against Manchester United in both the Carling Cup and league.
”What is good is that he has shown the qualities we know he has and that we have seen in training,” added Wenger.
”Sometimes when a goalkeeper comes in for his first spell, he either does very well or is under too much pressure, and I feel he was under too much pressure and never completely himself.
”He says he has never lost his confidence, but I feel when he played in his first spell he was not free and not the player we know he is.
”At least I now know I have two good goalkeepers. I hear every day I must buy a new one, but if you tell me I have two, then I don’t need to buy.
”I just have to choose one, which is my job, and I will do that with pleasure.”
United manager Neil Warnock knew his side had little chance from the shoot-out.
”It’s worse losing on penalties — it’s a horrible way, but then there’s no other way,” said Warnock.
”Up until the penalties, nobody knew who was going to win. I’ve nothing but credit for all of my players. From one to 11, they were outstanding.
”But I’m not a big fan of penalties. I’m never confident with them, and you can’t blame Jon and Alan. They are both disappointed, but that’s life.
”I just think Premiership players have so much technique. We had a job to find five volunteers. I know I wouldn’t have wanted to take one.” — Sapa-AFP