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Arteta: We gave it everything

Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal have plenty to be proud of after bowing out of the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Last Updated: 14/03/13 at 08:54 Post Comment

The Gunners headed to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday hoping to pull off a European miracle, with a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 encounter leaving them with a mountain to climb.

Arsene Wenger's men came agonisingly close to completing a remarkable fightback, as they ran out 2-0 winners on the night.

The away goals rule means they will be missing from Friday's last-eight draw, but Arteta feels Arsenal offered the perfect response to those who continue to write them off.

He told Sky Sports: "We gave absolutely everything we had in the game. We knew we had conceded three goals at home and it was going to be difficult, but we kept going and we kept believing.

"It was mentally a very difficult game to manage tonight. When we scored the first one they didn't look very convincing and we tried to take advantage of that. We scored a second one at the end and maybe with 10 minutes more we would have had a better chance.

"Coming here, not many teams win here. They have shown that they are a top side in Europe this season, so the lads deserve credit and the boss as well because he believed from the start that we could do it. We tried our best."

Carl Jenkinson also believes that Arsenal should be looking to use their performance on German spoil to spark an end-of-season surge - with the Gunners still scrapping for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

He said: "We got that early goal that we needed. We knew that it was important that we kept it tight at the back and we did that. We got the second goal and we really thought we could do it, but I am proud of the boys and the effort everyone put in.

"We were so close to doing it when, to be honest, everyone had written us before the game. We have come here, we have won 2-0 and come so close to doing it. I am very proud of the boys."

Bayern Munich were so laid back in that game, they might as well have been wearing pyjamas. 'Brave' Arsenal blew it in the first leg by being absolute pony.
- windmill78

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m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

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afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

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