Wenger: 'I have to congratulate the team'

Last updated : 26 October 2011 By Chris Parry

"The first half I believe we had the chances but in the second half we were caught straight away in losing the ball in our own half. They scored and from then on we were tested as the more experienced players took charge of the game, like Park, Arshavin and Benayoun. They made the difference.

"I have to congratulate the team as we had two young full-backs who are usually central players that played out of position.

"In midfield we were very young and we showed good spirit against a good Bolton side.

"When we were 2-1 up in the last 20 minutes, our legs had gone a little bit and we had to hang on, relying on a bit of luck because any players had not played at that level at that intensity. What was vital for us was not to go into extra-time."

On the return of Vermaelen:

"He did very well but he had to come off for a calf problem. I hope it is not too bad. He will be a bit short for Saturday. I do not know yet what has happened.

"We will have to test him tomorrow but it did not look too bad. He has been out for a long time and only had one training session yesterday with the team.

"I didn't expect a game of that intensity because it was a really tough game for a centre-back tonight as they put us under pressure in the second half."

"I don't think it is a calf strain, I think it is just a tight calf because he has not played 90 minutes for three months. He wanted to come off. In fairness, I did not want to take him off because I thought it was stupid now with four minutes to go in case we concede a goal.

"He was adamant he could not go on so I hope it is not too bad."