Arsenal can look forward with optimism after they produced a very solid defensive performance on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Often criticised for mistakes in the defensive department, the Gunners were guilty of gifting opportunities to the Germans in the first 25 minutes of the game but after they settled down at the Signal Iduna Park, they first took the lead in the 42nd minute thanks to Robin van Persie and then defended well as a unit and only conceded after Ivan Perisic scored the goal of his life.

Speaking on the game to Arsenal Player, midfielder Yossi Benayoun confirmed that it was a good performance by the Gunners as he explained that away games in the Champions League are always difficult especially if you’re facing the champions of the Bundesliga.

Asked what it means to play Champions League football, the Israel International admitted that it’s a lovely feeling adding that he did his best on the pitch, confessing that he is looking forward to playing more games for the Gunners and to always be ready if Arsene Wenger picks him in the line-up.

After the 1-1 draw, Benayoun said:

It was a good performance, away is always difficult in the Champions League. We were close to the three points but they scored a lovely goal in the end, we couldn’t do anything but we’re happy with the point.

Dortmund are the German champions so after this game we will have a lot of confidence and hopefully we will continue like this against Blackburn on Saturday.

We defended well in the first half, close to each other then I think it was a great ball from [Theo] Walcott to [Robin] van Persie who finished well, as he knows, and that gave us a lot of confidence.

I think we had another one or two chances to win the game, two nil and finish the game but this is football sometimes.

We expected them to try everything [in the second half]. They pressed and pressed, scored a lovely goal but I repeat, we need to be happy with this point.

We beat Swansea the other and to take a point in the Champions League will help the confidence, there is a lot of quality in this team and I’m sure we’ll show it from game to game.

It’s lovely [to be back in the Champions League], to play again for a big Club like Arsenal, it’s a big challenge for me, I was happy to get a chance to play.

I did my best and hopefully any chance that I will get I will do everything to justify, any chance that I will get I will prove that I deserve to be here and hopefully we’ll have a good season together.

[The mood at the moment] is much better, you expect everyone to be disappointed after the first three games of the League but you know, we have a great manager, great players with a lot of quality.

The manager decided to bring few players, I’m one of them and I’m sure we will add something to the team, giving the confidence it needs.