We really took the game to Arsenal

Last updated : 18 December 2009 By Tony Scholes
Arsenal boss Wenger speaking admitted that they'd achieved the most difficult part by going 1-0 up against us so early in the game.

"The most difficult part was to start well and be 1-0 up," he said. "After that we became a little bit easy. At 1-1 we understood it was a real cup game. That is what it was really. We were a bit jaded physically an in the final third we lacked a little bit of sharpness.

"They played a committed cup game. The second half was us dominating without really being decisive. They only played with counter attacks but they did it very well."

He continued: "It is a result, fair or not fair is very difficult to rate. They gave everything tonight. They had the right attitude and commitment. I wanted six points from the two away games. I expected more to drop points at Liverpool than here but football is like that and Burnley had a very good game.

"Burnley played intelligently, committed and they did not have a moment when they lost focus. They are suited to play against teams who make the game. I have seen them play and when they are at home and have to make the game it is entirely different."

A delighted Owen Coyle said after the final whistle: "First and foremost it's a very valuable point. There's no doubt about that. Both teams will feel they could have had all three points but after the start and the mistake from Andre Bikey, I though we really took the game to Arsenal.

"In the end, it could have been better, and I'll have to see the offside goal again because it certainly looked as though he was level. Chris Eagles hit the post and let's not kid ourselves, Brian had a couple of good saves to make, but I felt the level of performance we gave merited a minimum of one point. Arsenal paid us a lot of credit, but my lads gave everything again.

"The really outstanding thing for me is we didn't try to go and knock Arsenal off the ball, or kick them. We tried to go toe to toe, knowing we were risking losing the game to try to win it. As it is, it's panned out a point each and who is to say how valuable a point that might be."

Speaking about our goal from the penalty spot, and the goalscorer, he continued: "Until that ball hits the back of the net you are never sure. But I have to say that anybody down the lower leagues must look at Graham Alexander and think at 38 years of age and never having played in the Premier League, that their chance might come if they work hard enough at it.

"Certainly in my two and a half years for me he has been outstanding and he sets a fantastic example for our football club."