Wenger - We played without apprehension

Arsene Wenger believes his team’s fearless attitude was the key to their victory at Manchester United.

Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck scored either side of the break to secure an famous 2-1 win at Old Trafford in their FA Cup quarter-final tie.

The boss feels Arsenal deserved the result and was highly encouraged by his side's confident performance.

“I’m very happy because it was an important game for us,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “To go to an opponent like Manchester United in the FA Cup, in a direct knockout, you have to win.

“Mentally we were prepared and started on the front foot without any apprehension. We put them under pressure from the start and overall, we deserved to win the game.

“[Winning here shows that] we are improving and progressing. To win a big game helps to increase the belief of the team.”

Wenger was full of praise for both of Arsenal’s goalscorers as the Gunners set up a semi-final at Wembley against Reading or Bradford City.

“Nacho’s had a great season until now and I’m very happy that he scored,” the boss said. “He provoked the penalty at Manchester City as well and today he scored. He had a great game.

“We play so many games that you have to rotate and I felt that Danny had a great game. Not only a great individual game, but [showed] great teamwork. He worked extremely hard and that’s good.

“Most of the time it’s mentally not easy to deal with [returning to a former club] and he dealt with it well. He was focused on his game and that’s it.”