Arsene Wenger is proud of Gunners’ big hearts

KIERAN PRESENT DANGER ... Gibbs celebrates his cracking goal

ARSENE WENGER praised Arsenal’s “quality, spirit and heart” after staring into the abyss.

The Gunners boss was looking at an FA Cup exit after 58 minutes when Michu scored.

It would have almost certainly meant the North Londoners’ trophyless run would stretch to eight years.

But Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs led a remarkable fightback.

And Wenger was so relieved that not even Danny Graham’s late leveller could sour his mood.

Wenger said: “We should have won this game. We’ve shown quality, spirit and heart and it would be quite good if we could repeat that.”

The world could have caved in on the Gunners if they had crashed out but in fairness they seem to be relishing playing with their backs against the wall.

Wenger’s men never gave up against a Swans side full of class and desire.

The Frenchman added: “We kept going, yes. From midfield we always created chances. Their keeper kept them in the game. Kieran Gibbs had an outstanding game. He gets better and better and when you see this kind of game it’s very positive.”

Two men kept Swansea in the FA Cup, keeper Michel Vorm and centre-half Kyle Bartley — in only his second game for Michael Laudrup’s side.

Wenger let Bartley go to the Liberty Stadium for £1million in the summer — ironic given that his main centre-half Per Mertesacker cost around £8million and was Arsenal’s worst player yesterday.

The Gunners boss explained: “Bartley had a good game. He lacked a bit of experience at Arsenal.

“He was especially impatient and I couldn’t promise him to play with the number of centre-backs we had.

“We bought him from Bolton when he was 16 and we know he has the quality.”

On 52 minutes Aaron Ramsey went down in the box with Dwight Tiendalli in close attendance. Ref Howard Webb waved play on.

TV replays appeared to show Ramsey tripped over himself but Wenger insisted there had been a slight nick on his ankle.

Wenger said: “It was a penalty and the ref saw it. He didn’t give it because he thought the guy hasn’t done it on purpose. I thought it was accidental but Ramsey didn’t trip himself. He was caught clearly by the Swansea player.”

Shortly after, Olivier Giroud was injured as he clattered into Chico while volleying at Vorm.

While Giroud was getting treatment on his knee, Michu came on as a sub and put Swansea in front.

Swans boss Laudrup rested key players ahead of the Capital One Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

He left Michu, Pablo Hernandez and Angel Rangel on the bench and skipper Ashley Williams out of the squad altogether.

The Great Dane said: “We faced Arsenal and could afford to have the top-scorer of the league on the bench and still be 100 per cent level with them.

“It’s great to see the depth of the squad is there and we will need it.”

Laudrup will hold talks with Graham over his future but hinted he is likely to ask the striker to stay after three strikes in as many matches.

He added: “I thought Danny, after two goals in two games, could keep his momentum. Apart from his late goal he showed great spirit and heart.”