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Like in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final matches between London and , only one goal separated the two teams, and there was also a small difference between both team's managers after the match - both Arsene Wenger and Manuel Pellegrini claimed that their teams could have created more and were confident in their victory in the return leg.
"The match was tense and we could have scored more than one goal. We had to maintain a balance between attacking and keeping our goal safe. It was difficult to break down Villarreal, especially as they were very successful in stopping our counterattacks. It was hard to dictate the game in the midfield because of Villarreal's style of play. Maybe we paid the price for the number of games we have played, but I am optimistic and believe in my team before the return leg. We want to go there, try to score goals, and play our game," reflected Arsenal manager A. Wenger.
Villarreal head coach M. Pellegrini expressed similar sentiments, "Today we did not play well, but the result is not bad. Arsenal played quite well, but when we had the ball we needed to create more chances. Furthermore, I think we did not control the match enough. However, we have not yet given up and I believe that at home we will be able to achieve the result we need."
