Published: 1 November, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger needed just three words to describe Arsenal’s historic Capital One Cup comeback against Reading on Tuesday – “disaster to pride”.

The Gunners found themselves 4-0 down after 37 minutes at the Madejski Stadium, but led by hat-trick hero Theo Walcott they bounced back to win 7-5 in extra time.

The match has been dubbed one of the greatest ever games not only in the competition, but in football history.
Struggling to come to terms with the win, Wenger beamed: “We went from disaster to, I must say at least at some stage, pride because we at least came back in the second half with a decent performance.

“We had just hope but it didn’t look like we would go through. At least in the second half we got our disastrous first half out of the system. Then, once it was 4-4, I think it looked like we would be the winner.

“In extra time the maximum Reading could have got was a penalty shoot-out.

“I know what it is to be pulled back when you’re 4-0 up. It has happened to me as well.”

Asked if it was his greatest ever victory, Wenger added: “Maybe, yes. I don’t know. It is not one of our priorities but had we gone out – the way we could have gone out in the first half – that would not have been one of my proudest moments at the club.

“I’m very happy that we responded the way we did.”