Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the Gunners matched Manchester City in terms of quality, on Tuesday night.

Speaking after the game in his post-match press conference and to Arsenal Player, the Frenchman admitted that Roberto Mancini’s squad is richer in terms of numbers but how one could barely notice the difference on the pitch with the manager also believing that positives should be taken from the game even if the Gunners crashed out of the competition.

Full of praise for his players who showed confidence during the full 90 minutes, the manager concluded by saying that the English Premier League and more importantly a Top Four finish are the main objectives of the Gunners, who will now face Wigan, on Saturday.

After the City game, Wenger said:

[The difference between the squads?] Number-wise, there is a difference.

If you look at the players they have out on loan like Bellamy, Adebayor, Santa Cruz – I don’t know where he is.

Number-wise there is a big difference because all their players are somewhere else. But quality-wise, we have shown we can fight with them.

[Missing out on a trophy?] I look at it badly but on the other hand, I feel I want to take the positives out of tonight’s game and of our run.

We have a fantastic attitude and spirit and we have quality. How far can we go this season? I feel if we keep this attitude, we can have hope.

You can argue that we lost the easiest trophy to win but as well if you look at the teams who are still in it, it does not look as easy to win as usual.

We want to continue our unbeaten run in the Premier League now, that’s where it is important.

Overall it’s a shame to lose a game like that at home, especially when you feel you do not deserve to lose it. But the spirit has been excellent again and that will take us far.

[If the FA Cup is the best trophy chance?] I consider the championship the most important. More than anything else, it is important to finish in the top four.