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Wenger - We were professional and calm

Arsene Wenger praised his players for their approach to penalties after Arsenal reached the FA Cup final.

The Gunners came from behind to draw 1-1 with Wigan Athletic and then held their nerve from 12 yards with Mikel Arteta, Kim Kallstrom, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla all beating Scott Carson.

Lukasz Fabianski saved Wigan's first two penalties to emerge as the hero and Wenger was relieved and delighted afterwards.

"We have gone through a very, very difficult week after last Sunday"

Arsene Wenger

"I was [believing we could win] but we are long enough in the game to know that penalties can go either way," he told Arsenal Player.

"It was important to start well and our keeper got us on the confidence level in a very good way. After that we took it in a very professional and calm way.

"We needed spirit and nerve. We have shown both I think because we were 1-0 down, we came back and we couldn't score the second goal. But overall we were spirit-wise and on the nervous front at the expected level.

"After that it's a typical cup game that we have seen in history. The only difference is when you experience it yourself it's difficult to go through. But we have done it well.

"Wigan won at Man City. You don't win at Man City by coincidence and they have shown why. We needed to be absolutely strong on the mental front and I'm happy that we have responded like that because we have been questioned on that front.

"We have gone through a very, very difficult week after last Sunday. We have shown the right response."

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