Wright urges Arsenal to stay calm

By Chris Charles

Henry was denied a perfectly good goal

Arsenal legend Ian Wright is backing his old team to reach the Champions League final, providing they don't crack under the pressure in Villarreal.

The Gunners hold a 1-0 advantage going into Tuesday's second leg in Spain and he believes they can grab an away goal.

The ex-striker told BBC Sport: "Arsenal are more than capable of scoring over there but it will be a tense night.

"It's going to be a very hard game but I'm confident that if the boys can hold their nerve they will come out on top."

Wright, who scored 185 goals for the Gunners, watched Wednesday's game at home with some friends and admitted he was a little disappointed with the performance.

"Villarreal kind of stifled Arsenal a bit. They defended really well and have to be congratulated on playing a game of that magnitude," he said.

"The Spaniards will fancy their chances but Arsenal surely won't play like that again. The most important thing is that they didn't concede a goal and I would back them to nick one over there.

"If Thierry Henry's goal had been given it would have made things a bit more comfortable. The linesman wasn't keeping up with play and that is something that needs looking at.

Gilberto did well but, to a certain extent, Riquelme was on a leash Ian Wright

"I know it's not easy to stay with someone like Henry but the fact of the matter is the official was giving decisions when he had caught up with play. By that time, of course, Thierry was two yards off.

"On the other hand, Villarreal were unlucky not to have been given a penalty so I suppose you can say these things balance themselves out."

Wright, speaking at the launch of the Sure Fanzone World Cup venue in London, praised the performance of Gilberto Silva in keeping Juan Riquelme quiet but warned the Argentine playmaker would be a different proposition in the return leg.

"It was obvious the Villarreal players had been told to put in a disciplined performance and, to a certain extent, Riquelme was on a leash," he said.

"He broke a couple of times but you could see he had one eye on the second leg at the Madrigal, when he will be given more freedom to do what he does.

"Gilberto did a very good job on him but I think that was partly because of the fact Riquelme was playing within himself.

"I just hope Arsenal are more confident when they go over to Spain and don't crack under the pressure. It's a very tight ground and it will be an unbelievable atmosphere but I think the boys will do enough to get through."