Wenger hails ´perfect night´

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on his team to remain consistent after beating Ipswich to reach the final of the Carling Cup.

The north London club, trailing in their Carling Cup semi-final following a 1-0 first-leg defeat at Portman Road, produced three second-half goals to overpower the Championship outfit and book their place in the final at Wembley on February 27.

Manchester United are in control in the English Premier League title race and Barcelona await in the Champions League, but Wenger insists the outcome of Arsenal’s campaign remains in their own hands.

“For us it is the perfect night,” Wenger said.

“I am convinced our season depends on our results and our consistency. Overall we do not need to worry about Manchester United, or anybody else.”

“We are team that has taken on a wider goal and is consistent now. It is important for us to go from strength to strength, if we are capable of doing that we have a chance. Manchester United will be a very tough opponent, but we have a good chance if we can keep going from strength to strength, as I believe we can.”

“I feel we have the opportunity in the final to win one (a trophy). What I am convinced is that we will go with the same heart into everything, after we’ll see. I believe we have a chance, yes, to deliver, because now we’re in the final it will be down to delivering the needed performance on the day – that is part of mental strength as well.”

Newly-appointed Ipswich boss Paul Jewell hopes that his players can produce a similar effort to that shown in the Carling Cup as they battle for Championship survival.

“The team have had a great cup run, and I’m sure the supporters have enjoyed it, but the most important thing has always been the league,” Jewell said.

“It would have been lovely to get to the final, but we haven’t and we have got 21 cup finals ahead in the league.”

“But we gave them a good game over the two legs and credit to the Ipswich players and congratulations to Arsenal.”