Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he had been left frustrated by his side’s failure to secure more than a one goal lead to take to Spain for next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Villarreal.
A close-range strike from centreback Kolo Toure, four minutes before half-time, was all the Gunners had to show for their near total domination of the final European match to be played at Highbury, although clear cut chances were thin on the ground.
”I am [frustrated]” Wenger said. ”It was a tense game but I think we should have got one more goal.
”It was a little bit difficult because I think we were caught between keeping a clean sheet and not conceding a goal and we didn’t really find our flow in the second half.
”I felt as well that their midfield did very well and we found it difficult to dictate the play and impose our normal game.”
Wenger however remained confident that his side could finish the job in Spain next week and book their place in next month’s Paris final against either AC Milan or Barcelona.
”I am confident,” the Frenchman added after watching his side chalk up a record ninth consecutive clean sheet in the competition.
”I believe in my team and of course our defensive record.”
Wenger conceded that Villarreal should have probably had a penalty just before halftime when Gilberto Silva brought down striker Jose Mari inside the box.
That incident prompted Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini to complain: ”The referee did not have a very good night. I am not very happy because there was a penalty we should have had. We did not play particularly well but the scoreline is not too bad. We can get a good result in Spain and go through.” – Sapa-AFP