Wenger proud of brave Gunners

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger felt his team restored their pride by beating AC Milan 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners bowed out of the Champions League.

Trailing 4-0 from what Wenger had labelled a "shocking performance" at the San Siro three weeks ago, it was always going to take something special to turn the tie around and progress to the quarter-finals.

Wenger said: "We restored a good performance tonight and we are disappointed because we touched qualification. We had the chances and we didn't do it, but we were very close."

He added: "I felt that we suffered a bit in the second half physically because we gave a lot at Liverpool.

"When we tired in midfield we had no options on the bench and the regret I have is there.

"The players put in a faultless performance, with fantastic spirit and you can only congratulate the whole team."

Wenger added: "If you win 3-0 at home, you can only say well done to the players. You know that if you play 180 minutes and you miss 90, it is difficult at that level. We were very close."

Wenger was reported to have been involved in a confrontation with Slovakian referee Damir Skomina as they left the field.

Responding to a general question on the match officials in his post-match press conference, the Arsenal manager said: "I was not happy with the referee tonight because I felt he gave many free-kicks in the middle of the park.

"Every time they went down a free-kick was given for them, and they sensed that very quickly and they used it very well."