Wenger thrilled as his young Gunners come of age

ARSENE WENGER felt his young Arsenal side came of age after beating Real Madrid last night.

The Gunners made the most of a below-par display from the home side, producing a brilliant team performance - and could have won by more after opening Real up time and again on the counter attack.

“We have shown character recently and I think there is something coming out. Tonight, we produced it,” the Arsenal boss said afterwards.

Wenger added: “We were the sharper team, played well when we needed to and overall it was a very positive game. I am happy in every department. The only regret is there was maybe room for one or two more goals - we had the chances, which we did not take and that keeps the game open in the second leg.”

Wenger hailed the performance of match-winner Henry. “I told you he would produce tonight,” quipped the Arsenal boss. “Overall we needed the experienced players to do well throughout the team - we needed big nights from them, and the young players have done extremely well also.”

Arsenal are currently in talks with their captain over extending his contract and Wenger believes last night’s display could aid the club’s cause.

“I hope the quality that our young team has shown will help persuade him to stay,” the Arsenal manager said.

“It is important for this growing team [that] their leader is with them. I do not want to have to take one step back when the best player leaves.

“I hope this helps convince him he has future at the club because the young boys can produce on nights like this.”

Wenger felt the way Arsenal had set about their task caught Real Madrid off guard. “We suffered in patches, but I felt one of the keys in the game was to start well,” said Wenger.

“We did that and maybe that unsecured Real Madrid a bit - right from kick off we showed that we wanted to have a go.”

Wenger, however, knows the tie is not finished yet.

“You have to expect Madrid will be giving everything at Highbury,” he said.

“I expect them to be at their best, but we have a fantastic opportunity at Highbury to qualify and I am convinced my players will give everything.

“We will play to win - that is the only approach we can have because to sit in against them would be a mistake But they have to come out now and score goals, so it will be a very interesting game.”

Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro remained defiant, despite his side’s disappointing display.

“Arsenal were well organised, especially in defence,” he observed.

“We did not play our normal game - and we will see how things go now in London. My players tried to do well, but it was not their best performance.

“We had some chances, but were not as precise as we should have been.”

Caro added: “I have full confidence in the team, and in London, it will be different.”

The Real coach revealed defender Jonathan Woodgate - hoping for an England recall - had aggravated his previous injury, which forced the centre-half to be replaced after just nine minutes.

Caro said: “It is a muscle problem, around the back of the thigh.”