By DPA,
Barcelona : Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said his side would have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League had it not been for the controversial sending-off of Robin van Persie in the Nou Camp.
Arsenal were ousted 3-1 Tuesday night by a rampant Barcelona side, 4-3 on aggregate but the sending-off of Van Persie left Arsenal a man down and with too much to do.
A Sergio Busquets own goal made it 1-1 after Lionel Messi had put Barcelona ahead but Dutchman Van Persie was sent off for a second booking, for kicking the ball away.
Xavi restored Barcelona’s lead and then Messi sealed the win with a penalty, but Wenger was aggrieved at the manner of his side’s exit.
“I felt Barca gave a lot in the first half and we were completely dominated, I agree with that,” he said.
“But in the second half we felt there was more space, I knew that like the first game (which Arsenal won 2-1) we could come back into the game and overall I am convinced we would have won this game.
“I think two kinds of people will be unhappy – those who love Arsenal, and those who love the game. We are frustrated with his decision. It is very difficult to understand his attitude.
“We lost against a very good Barca side, congratulations to them and good luck for the future. But we have many regrets tonight because we didn’t expect to lose the game like that. I feel sorry for the people who watched the game tonight.
“I just spoke to UEFA people. They are shocked as well because it killed a promising, fantastic football match.
“What for? If it is a bad tackle or a second bookable offence okay, but frankly it is embarrassing.”