Cesc Fabregas sees no reason why Arsenal cannot
now go on to complete a Champions League and Barclays Premier
League double after knocking out European Cup holders AC Milan in
the San Siro - although manager Arsene Wenger also wants to keep
everyone focused and their feet firmly on the
ground.
The Gunners produced a near-perfect, battling display, as they
closed down the Italians at every chance on Tuesday night en route
to recording a 2-0 second leg victory following the goalless draw
at The Emirates.
It was a performance which will have sent a stern message across
Europe that the young Gunners are now without question a force to
the reckoned with this season.
Arsenal have a one-point lead at the top of the Premier League
and Fabregas sees no reason why they cannot stay on course for both
domestic and European success.
"We do not have 25 internationals like Chelsea so we were never
going to be able to challenge for all four trophies - but we are
still in contention for the two which really matter," he
insisted.
"We are top of the Premier League and through to the
quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating the holders at
home, so why can't we win them both?"
Wenger firmly believes his youngsters have what it takes to go
all the way to Moscow, but knows it will not be an easy path for
the 2006 Champions League finalists.
He said: "The competition is very hard now. It is a cup
competition and you have to take it like that. "We will go for it -
we are in the quarter-final, so why should we not believe we can do
it. "The growing process of a team is a bit like a wave, it goes up
suddenly, then down with a few bad results, then it goes up high
again.
"This game was of huge significance for my team because in
between they did not deliver a convincing result. "Subconsciously
for the team, it was very important to see how good they are.
Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti accepted Arsenal deserved their place
in the last eight, and are genuine contenders. He said: "Arsenal
are a strong team and played with great courage and have shown they
have the qualities to reach the final of the Champions League.
"Now our aim is the fourth place in the Italian league and we
will do our best to reach this. "We have won so much lately, so one
lost game is nothing if you think about what we have done. "So we
will all continue on to pursue our goals."