Arsene Wenger has defended Arsenal’s Champions League record – despite the fact defeat in Barcelona on Wednesday night means they have failed to get past the round of 16 stage for the last six years.
The Gunners went into the game at the Nou Camp already staring down the barrel having been beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in February’s first leg.
And, despite a gutsy performance against the reigning European champions, goals from Neymar, Lionel Messi and a stunning Luis Suarez volley saw Barcelona comfortably into the last eight with a 3-1 victory.
Mohamed Elneny’s first goal for Arsenal was consigned to the status of a consolation strike as Wenger once fell at this early juncture.
But, having lost to Monaco, Bayern Munich twice, Milan and Barca again back in 2011, the Frenchman was quick to speak out about Arsenal’s perceived short-comings.
“I could give you all the stats if you are dramatic enough to read the stats,” he said.
“They showed that we suffered but that should not be considered game by game. In football, you look at the last game and you look at the positives.
“We have gone out in the last six years to top sides who won the Champions League after.
“On one occasion we lost to Monaco but the others are always against Bayern Munich or Barcelona.”
Wenger may have been pleased with his own side’s efforts – but he enthused about Barcelona’s attacking triumvirate.
“It was a team performance and the quality was good,” he said of Arsenal’s display.
“I’m disappointed with the result but we played against a team with the best strikers I have seen play together. It is exceptional, they can make chances from nothing.
“Barcelona, going forward in the final third with the quality of passing and creativity, Messi was absolutely exceptional.”
Enrique bullish ahead of draw
Barca coach Luis Enrique must be running out of superlatives for the main men in his side – but he praised them once again on Wednesday – and suggested he fears no-one in today’s quarter-final draw.
“Suarez, Messi and Neymar feed off each other,” he said. “I am pleased they’re our forwards. To be able to resolve games we have to have their initial pressure.
“They help us create pressure, and they get back to defend as well, which every team needs in any competition.”
Asked about possible last-eight opponents, Enrique simply replied: “The only team I don’t want to face is Barca, and it’s a certainty that we won’t.”