Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must certainly feel a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders and that of the team after resolutely beating Everton 4-1 to book a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Gunners now travel to Germany on Tuesday where they will face an uphill battle to turn around a 0-2 deficit after losing to Bayern Munich at the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match.
Wenger now believes they can take the inspiration from the Everton with them to Munich telling Sky Sports: “It was important for us to win, to put us in a good mind on the psychological front,” said Wenger. “We can be inspired by our focus on the day, by our desire and go to Bayern with the same spirit.
“The statistics go against us when we go to Bayern, but let’s make sure that the performance goes for us. Then we have a chance.”
“I hope that will encourage him. What I liked with him is that physically he looked regenerated, having more power in his runs.”
Arsene Wenger went on to talk about the game and also the performance of Mesut Özil after the young German had been under fire recently adding: “We had a quality performance from the first to the last minute against a good side, the first half was all us and we were unlucky to be 1-1 at half time.
“The second half, Everton started well and had a good moment in the game where they had the chance with (Ross) Barkley. We scored the second goal and then controlled the game well. We always looked like we could score more.”
Then on to Özil he added:
“Of course it’s important for him he took his chance because sometimes you want him to take the chance because he always looks for the good pass,” continued Wenger.
“I hope that will encourage him. What I liked with him is that physically he looked regenerated, having more power in his runs.
“As well I liked that he did a lot of dirty work for a player like him, that means he tracked back in the first half – especially on the counter attack he came back with long runs.
“When he behaves like that of course you have a better chance to win the game.”
