Wenger upbeat despite Arsenal letting Milan off the hook

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was taking plenty of positives from his team's 0-0 draw with European champions AC Milan at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, but conceded the Italians were the favourites to go through to the quarter-finals.

"We played the game we wanted to play -- a high tempo game for 90 minutes and I take a lot of positives from that," Wenger told a news conference.

"They were under pressure for most of the game and the whole of the second half, and we didn't concede a goal.

"Overall we played a fantastic game, it was just a shame we didn't get a goal because on a night when everything goes for you in a game like that you can get two or three.

"To draw 0-0 at home is not a bad result overall, not to concede a goal at home is not bad and although I concede Milan start the favourites we can deal with that."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti dismissed the idea that his side were now favourites to advance to the last eight.

"Our qualification is still in doubt," he said, "we are not sure of going through yet. Arsenal showed great quality tonight and we must improve our condition in the next two weeks because I am sure Arsenal can play just as well again in Milan."

No English team has beaten AC Milan in the Champions League at the San Siro, but Arsenal have beaten Inter Milan in the stadium which they both share.