Porto v Arsenal: Arsene Wenger 'convinced' of Champions League progress

18 February 2010 12:57
Goalkeeping errors by Lukasz Fabianski helped gift Porto their advantage but, with Sol Campbell having scored a crucial away goal on his return to European football, Arsenal would only need to win the home leg 1-0 to progress. [LNB]'They played well, but we have a chance to overturn it in the second game - I'm convinced we will do that,' said Wenger. [LNB]'We'll turn that round and give it absolutely everything in the second game at home. We are disappointed, but we have a good opportunity to do it at home. [LNB]'Sol had a decent game. He's disappointed with the second, but he scored an important goal that could prove to be vital in qualification.' [LNB]Wenger was critical of referee Martin Hansson for allowing Porto's second and also felt Arsenal had been denied a penalty when Tomas Rosicky was fouled. [LNB]'There was a strong penalty appeal on Rosicky and the repeated fouls in midfield were not punished enough,' said Wenger. [LNB]'Both teams showed great spirit. It's difficult to swallow a defeat like that. When you look at the two goals we conceded, it would be difficult to imagine before the game that in the Champions League of this level that you could concede two like that.' [LNB]Wenger also refused to blame Fabianski for his team's defeat. [LNB]'I do not want to come out on individual's performances,' he said. 'I do not want to judge him in front of everybody. We lose as a team and win as a team. [LNB]"Any individual performance has not necessarily to be analysed publicly. We are still in the tie. It's unfortunate we lost this game. We have an opportunity to turn it around in the second game.' [LNB]

Source: Telegraph