Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was determined to look on the bright side after his side was held to a goalless draw by AC Milan in European football's Champions League first knockout round Wednesday.
Arsenal dominated long stretches of the second half and were within inches of winning the game in injury time as Emmanuel Adebayor headed against the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
"We've got to look at it in a positive way," Wenger said. "The impact we had in this game will have a part to play in the second half."
The performance could hardly have been more different from the insipid showing in Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup defeat away to Manchester United.
"I'm very happy with the response from the players," Wenger said. "We showed maturity and drive going forward.
"We didn't make the most of the chances we created. We were dominant all of the second half," he added. "We showed nervousness with the final ball - but generally I was pleased with the quality."
A scoring draw in the second leg would now be enough to carry Arsenal through, but they will know that no English side has ever beaten AC Milan at the San Siro.
A scoring draw in the second leg would now be enough to carry Arsenal through, but they will know that no English side has ever beaten AC Milan at the San Siro.
"It will be an open game," Wenger said. "It's just unfortunate we can't take the pitch from the Emirates to the San Siro."