Arsene Wenger admitted he was disappointed that Arsenal not translate their superiority into a first leg lead in their Champions League quarter final against Liverpool.
However, the Gunners boss remains hopeful that his side will prevail in the second leg at Anfield next week.
Arsenal went ahead after 23 minutes through Emmanuel Adebayor, but Dirk Kuyt scrambled home an equaliser just moments later in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates stadium.
“It is difficult to understand as we had a lot of possession and a lot of chances and it is very difficult to accept that we didn’t win the game,” Wenger said.
Wenger was also unhappy that his side were denied what looked a blatant penalty in the second-half when Kuyt appeared to pull Alexander Hleb to the floor.
“We were unlucky too, when they equalised I felt we were unlucky and were unlucky on the big decision of the referee on the penalty and in a game like that it is difficult to take it but we have to swallow it,” Wenger continued.
“That is what is most disappointing because sometimes the referee is in a bad position, but he was five yards away from Kuyt and in fairness it was a 100 per cent penalty.
“We could have done better because we were caught on the break when we were 1-0 up, but Steven Gerrard showed a touch of class and you can always do better when you concede a goal.”
Arsenal now meet Liverpool again on Saturday in the Premier League before the return leg next week.
“What is important is that we win the next one at the Emitrates on Saturday and then find the resources to win at Anfield and we can do that,” he said.
“We want to win the game on Saturday because, of course, the Championship is at stake and that will help us to get the result at Anfield.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who is looking to lead the club to their third Champions league final in the space of four years, pronounced himself pleased with the result.
Benitez said afterwards that he was pleased with his team, believing they had worked “really, really hard.”
“In the second-half we knew that we were running a lot in the first-half, they had plenty of possession so it’s difficult to keep the team working as hard as in the first-half so we needed to change players.”
Asked how important he thinks the away goal is, he added: “I think it is crucial in Europe.
“You know that Arsenal is a team that also can score away but at least we will have now in our hands the options.
“We are in a good position, playing at Anfield with our supporters who are a massive difference.
“But against a good team with the quality you could see today we need to play counterattack and working very hard in defence.”
