Wenger: 'They have earned the right to play in the next round'

"I did not expect to score six goals but I am very pleased with the way we tackled the game, with the fluency of our game and the way we kept calm when Liverpool came back to 1-1. We just continued to go forward and play attacking football.

"These lads have worked very hard to integrate and to do what we want them to do. Sometimes the most important thing is not only to be talented but to transfer that into competitive games and they did that with the way we want to play football, but they have shown great mental strength. I am highly tempted to play many of them in the semi-final against Spurs. They have won in this competition at Everton and now at Liverpool, and they also won at West Brom."

He added: "They have earned the right maybe to play in the next round. It is a very satisfying night. I feel there is a continuity inside the club, and we feel we have worked very, very hard.

"The future of the club is very promising. We aim to keep these players together and keep the spirit right. Then we have a great chance for the future."