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Manager:Arsene Wenger

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Wenger proud despite defeat

10 Dec 2009 - 07:48:11

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Arsene Wenger admitted he was proud of the performance put on by his youthful Arsenal side despite them signing off on their Champions League group campaign with a defeat.

Wenger named an experimental line-up and lost 1-0 to Olympiacos on Wednesday night.

Arsenal were already assured of their place in the last 16 as Group H winners so defensive duo Tom Cruise and Kyle Bartley were both handed first-team debuts.

The Gunners had chances to win the game in Athens through Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela, but afterwards Wenger spoke of his pride at the level of performance produced by a side with the lowest average age in Champions League history - just 21.

"I am very proud of the young players, there are a lot of positives," said Wenger.

"From Barnet to Athens is a big jump, but they did very well. Nobody was disappointing and it is difficult to single out individual performances, although (Aaron) Ramsey had a good presence, gave good balls and produced a good work-rate.

"They all looked like they played every week in this competition.

"I had the performance I expected, but not the result we could have got.

"These youngsters play exactly like the first team and they represented Arsenal well tonight, despite the fact that they are the youngest team to have played in the Champions League."