Wenger: 'In six months we can be even stronger'

Last updated : 27 August 2009 By Chris Parry

"From outside I must say it looked a penalty, but having seen it again on television, it doesn't look to be a penalty. But I must still say that we were likely always to score the first goal because Eduardo had a great chance before the penalty and we always looked in control of the game.

"I believe really that it was not a penalty but I am also not sure that the keeper didn't touch him with his right knee, having seen it again. I do not want a penalty which is not a penalty, but I do not go as far to say Eduardo dived.

"He went down, for what reason I do not know, but I do not think he would have complained if the penalty was not given.

"Is it acceptable? I never asked in my life any guy to dive to win a penalty but sometimes the players go down because there is no other way to escape the tackling of the keeper. Sometimes they dive.

"We got a penalty against us two years ago in the quarter-final of the Champions League at Liverpool that made the difference when Babel dived, nobody ever apologised to us, it was a blatant dive and nobody spoke about it."

"I believe that Celtic in the two games were well organised, did show some great mental qualities, they never gave up at any moment, and for me, they are a good side. Over the two games they were a bit unlucky because in the first game, the free-kick deflected, they were always one behind the score and when there is a technical difference between the two sides, it makes it even harder."

"We are now in the top, top league in Europe, with all the big names. Our team tonight was an average age of 23.9 years. That means if we can get out of the group stage, then in six months we can be even stronger.

"That is what we want to focus on, to continue to improve our team play, the speed of our game and show that we have made big improvements come Saturday at 5:15.

"I am happy to go to Old Trafford because it is the first big, big test. You want always to have a high level of confidence when you go to Old Trafford, we have that at the moment. For us it is most important to recover physically because Manchester United did not play in the League Cup tonight."