Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed his side’s remarkable comeback from 4-0 down as they defeated Reading in a thrills-a-minute 7-5 triumph in England’s Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
The Royals raced to a four-goal lead in the first half before Theo Walcott gave them some remote hope prior to the break.
However, Arsenal kept the momentum going with Olivier Giroud scoring on 64 minutes, before late goals from Laurent Koscielny and Walcott sent the contest to extra time.
From there, Marouane Chamakh scored to put the Gunners ahead for the first time, but Pawel Pogrebnyak would equalise, only for Walcott and then Chamakh to clinch the tie.
“We went from disaster to rescuing some pride. You cannot play for Arsenal and give up,” said Wenger who a few seasons ago saw his side blow a four-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Newcastle in the league.
The Frenchman added: “It was 4-0 and could have been one or two more. We came back but at 89 minutes it was still 4-2. Then the miracle happened. There were so many turning points. Our first goal before half-time was important. It’s my first 7-5. It was a tennis score.
“This was maybe my greatest comeback. [The League Cup] is not my priority but had we gone out like we could have gone out it would not have been one of my proudest nights.”