Wenger: We have paid the price for a bad first game

Arsene Wenger told his Arsenal side to be proud of their 3-0 win over AC Milan, despite being knocked out of the Champions League after failing to add the decisive fourth goal last night.

Having capitulated 4-0 at the San Siro in the first leg three weeks ago, the Gunners were given next to no chance of making the last eight but stunned their visitors with an irresistible first-half display that yielded unanswered goals from Laurent Koscielny, Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie with a penalty. The energy exerted in that 45-minute burst told in a slower-paced second period, but van Persie did miss with one superb chance to make it four from close range.

“They can only be proud of their performance,” Wenger said. “The team has fantastic spirit and showed some fight after the first tie, but unfortunately we go out. We had the chances for a goal, but we keep our winning run going which is important. We have paid the price for a bad first game. But we have given everything. That is all you can do at the top level: give everything and then you can accept the result.”