Arsene Wenger: Arsenal were 'in trouble' before recovery in Moscow

Last updated on 12 April 2018.From the section European Football94

Danny Welbeck celebrates with his Arsenal team-mates — Danny Welbeck (left) has scored 10 goals for Arsenal in all competitions this season

Manager Arsene Wenger said Arsenal were "in trouble" in their Europa League quarter-final second leg before recovering to beat CSKA Moscow.

The Gunners, 4-1 up after the first leg, were trailing 2-0 in Moscow before Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey scored late goals to seal a 6-3 aggregate win.

"Maybe we were surprised by the intensity at the start," Wenger said.

"They scored the second, had a chance for the third. It was a good response from us after the break."

The hosts, who led through Fedor Chalov and Kirill Nababkin, went close to drawing level on aggregate and leading on away goals as goalkeeper Petr Cech saved Aleksandr Golovin's free-kick and Sergei Ignashevich shot narrowly wide.

Arsenal reached a European semi-final for the first time since 2008-09, when they lost to Manchester United in the Champions League last four.

"It should be every year - never enough," Wenger told BT Sport.

"You could see in Europe a lot of turnovers. We need to be focused. Let's prepare well for the next round and see who we get."

The Gunners join Atletico Madrid, Marseille and Salzburg in the semi-final draw, which takes place in Nyon, Switzerland, at 11:00 BST on Friday.

Asked if he would prefer to avoid favourites Atletico, who are second in La Liga behind Barcelona, he said: "Ideally, maybe they are the strongest on paper, but let's play well against the team we get."

Arsenal display 'not good enough'

Kirill Nababkin celebrates scoring CSKA's second goal after Petr Cech spilled Aleksandr Golovin's strike — Kirill Nababkin celebrates scoring CSKA's second goal

Captain Laurent Koscielny said Arsenal put pressure on themselves by not competing properly in the first half with a spirited CSKA side.

"It was not the plan," said the France defender. "We missed a lot of movement, to be available for our team-mates. We didn't win duels.

"They played well, had opportunities and took them. It put pressure on us - if they score we are out.

"So I am happy because we came back, but our performance was not enough for the stage of the competition.

"We will see the draw, but need more confidence in our game. It is important for the club to go far.

"It is our last chance to qualify for the Champions League, so we will fight until the end."

Welbeck said the Gunners survived a "difficult" night.

"It wasn't comfortable. We have seen in Europe how difficult it can be coming into games with an advantage," he said, referring to a week containing several notable comebacks in the Champions League.

The England striker, who scored twice in Sunday's 3-2 Premier League win over Southampton, added: "It was difficult today - away from home in different conditions - but we stuck through it."

Aaron Ramsey scores Arsenal's second in stoppage time — Aaron Ramsey scored Arsenal's second in stoppage time

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94 comments

Comment posted by andy, at 07:11 13 Apr 2018
I’m a bolton fan think arsenal fans are nuts have a reality check ...thank your blessings for what you have you don’t know what’s round the corner
Comment posted by U16696349, at 05:44 13 Apr 2018
Hope Arsenal go on to win it. 5 teams in the UCL was good this year. Would be a great way for Wenger to finish at AFC.

From a non-bus bashing LFC fan.
Comment posted by U16857034, at 07:23 13 Apr 2018
Not and Arsenal fan, but great to see them doing well.
A club with no tainted money behind it.
Parts of the PL absolutely stink.
Comment posted by GALAXY, at 06:53 13 Apr 2018
As shown by a number of teams this week. Having a sizeable first leg lead can lead to mental complacency. Well done Arsenal for sticking to the task from a Forest fan.
Comment posted by WHL_N17, at 01:56 13 Apr 2018
Other clubs would love to have 3 FA Cups and a possible Europa League in 4 years. What makes Arsenal fans feel so entitled?
Comment posted by JonnyGuitarFingers, at 09:41 13 Apr 2018
Man U fan delighted Arsenal are in the last 4. Hope they win it.
Comment posted by Yak Ke Da, at 09:21 13 Apr 2018
People People...you've gone extreme.....Media Frenzy and you are joining the Bandwagon.....

The Fact remains - Arsenal and Liverpool are still in Europe...trying to Win a Competition.....you go through bad performances and excel in others.....this is Football

Where are the Clubs that have spent Fortunes .......Exactly.

Still in Europe
Comment posted by U16606804, at 09:49 13 Apr 2018
I don't understand BBC coverage. Man U fight back to beat City - overwhelmingly positive reporting. Arsenal fight back to draw away in Moscow - they're lucky and had a fright. McNulty and what seem his perpetual prejudices at work, I suspect! If it were Liverpool it'd be reported as the greatest game EVER!
Comment posted by ps, at 07:50 13 Apr 2018
Come on Arsenal you can play better than that, so pleased you won but you have to believe in each other and your manager to become the arsenal of old, need to defend better and close players down faster.
p.s
Comment posted by NEO44, at 07:57 13 Apr 2018
Where does Jack Wilshere go next. He was awful last - I would sell him ASAP and he does not go to world cup for me.
He just keeps giving the ball away and was the worst player for us last night.

I can see why Elneny was given a new contract. He was our best player.
Have no complaints for Arsene apart from him still trying with Wilshere.
Enough is enough !!!
Comment posted by Largewomble, at 10:06 13 Apr 2018
even as a spurs fan the bias against our friends down the seven sisters road is showing again. They did well to fight back and show something that's been missing for a while, they were 2-0 down away in Moscow and if it was anyone else it would have been greatly praised.
Comment posted by RememberScarborough, at 09:41 13 Apr 2018
If you're not excited about being in a European semi final then you shouldn't be watching football. Watching my team scrabbling around the bottom of the championship I know I would be....
Comment posted by Jastix, at 09:20 13 Apr 2018
@MarkyBoy...
Stop being a tool lad. Did you not see how difficult it has been for almost every fancied team in ALL European competitions lately?

The so called 'lesser' teams and really fired up by being in the later stages and are playing above normal levels.
Comment posted by Adaminho, at 07:26 13 Apr 2018
Well done arsenal it was important with the current political climate we didn't just go out there and whack them. Instead we gave a couple goals made it exciting but then knocked on a couple ourselves at the end to be sure. Now Russian fans can feel they weren't embarrassed and we are in next round everyone's happy :)
Comment posted by Moonraker, at 09:34 13 Apr 2018
Typical negative slant from the BBC when it comes to Arsenal and Wenger. Actually, a v good result in Moscow.

Was at the Sporting Lisbon v Atletico Madrid game last night. Atletico were second best and didn’t look world beaters. Favourites, yes, but definitely beatable if Arsenal perform. Don’t think they should fear anyone and wish them good luck.
Comment posted by U16960580, at 08:15 13 Apr 2018
IN ARSENE WE TRUST.

Europa League Champions 2018
UEFA Champions League Champions 2019
FIFA World Club Cup Champions 2020
Wenger retires 2021, giving the world the bird....
Comment posted by Its Better With Arteta, at 09:48 13 Apr 2018
It is funny that a large number of favourable comments are from fans of teams who have no affiliation with Arsenal.

They crave for the success AFC have had over many years. Even when we are at a relatively low point (which I think we are) we are still near the top and involved in a good European competition. Many clubs season effectively finished long ago.

Enjoy the moment.
Comment posted by Green1878, at 09:49 13 Apr 2018
39. Posted by Beat Takeshi on
5 minutes ago
"A shame to see a once mighty team in such decline. I like Wenger, but he is getting older and as he ages, his team withers. Arsenal have to bite the bullet and replace him."

Is this a post that has taken 10 years to load onto the BBC website?
Comment posted by Jason, at 09:41 13 Apr 2018
@32 the reason he can’t get in the france team is not because he’s not as good as Giroud, it’s because france’s best player is Griezeman and Giroud is the best foil for him. Giroud allows france to get the best out of Griezeman.
Comment posted by Jason, at 09:03 13 Apr 2018
Wilshere had a mare, he’s been offered a deal more linked to games played and fitness and i genuinely think he’ll struggle to find a top half club to take him if he doesn’t stay but on current form he’s not even worth keeping - I’d rather see Aintland-Niles get CM minutes.

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