Wenger hails perfect Gunners after Cesc inspires Arsenal to glory in Milan

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Arsenal became the first English team to beat Milan in the San Siro after Cesc Fabregas's brilliant 30 yard strike put them ahead in the 85th minute and Emmanuel Adebayor confirmed their victory with an injury time tap in.

The Gunners were in complete control of the tie and they will join Manchester United and Barcelona in the last eight after this extraordinary performance.

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Wenger, who maintains that his team can win the competition, said: "Yes, it was perfectly executed. We gave the performance we wanted. We played with organisation. We never dropped off, we closed them down and didn't give them time.

"We went forward whenever we could with the ball. We played with authority, maturity and talent. I'm very proud of our performance. We deserved to win the game. I have a big respect for Milan but to come here and beat them deserves a lot of credit.

"It's similar to winning in Madrid in 2005. We knocked out the holders and it shows that 0-0 at home is not a bad result. This team is very young but they've won at Bernabeu, and now at San Siro, and you need some quality to do that."

Milan's supporters, who have tasted European Cup success seven times in their illustrious history, took the remarkable step of clapping Arsenal off the pitch at the final whistle.

Arsenal kept world player of the year Kaka quiet over two legs and their season continues to confound the critics.

They remain top of the Barclays Premier League table and are now just four games away from a place in the Champions League final in May.

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Wenger added: "We are growing up and I feel we deserved a lot of credit. We've dropped off in terms of confidence in the Championship recently and we've not been in the most positive environment. We found the mental strength to play without any restrictions tonight, and that makes me proud. I believe that Fabregas, Hleb and Flamini in the middle of the park delivered.

"They didn't give them room. They defended very well and, when we had the ball, they had support from the flanks in Sagna and Clichy and supported them well. That gives them solutions. They did a good job defensively as well as going forward. The whole team did a good defensive job."

Arsenal controlled the tie and had a stunning 55 per cent of the possession the San Siro. Fabregas's first strike since Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Newcastle in January gave them a vital away goal and Adebayor secured their place in the next round.

There are echoes of their epic journey to the final in 2005 - when they beat Juventus and Real Madrid on the way to meeting Barca in Paris - after this extraordinary performance.

Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac was beaten when Fabregas sent a 30 yard strike beyond him and Adebayor finished off Carlo Ancelotti's side with a goal in the last seconds.

Wenger added: "What gives me an extra satisfaction was that the team went really for it. You sometimes feel as a manager that there is something in the team You know that, for them to get a step higher up, they need to deliver in a game like that. I hope that result will strengthen the belief in the team. We'd like to take advantage of that belief while keeping a balance between that belief and humility. That is what allows you to be consistent.

"I said before that we can win it, but the competition is very hard. It's a cup competition and you have to take it like that.

"On the day, we were maybe better than Milan. We might play them on Friday and it could be different. We'll go for it. We're in the quarter-finals so why should we not believe we can do it?

"I expect always the best of my team. But, you know, it's the growing process of a team is a bit like a wave. Sometimes you go up then two or three bad results it goes down. Today, we came out of a dip and, certainly, this game was of huge significance for my team. Between the two legs we didn't deliver a convincing result. That means, subconsciously, this was a really important game for the team to see how good they really are."

Man of the match Fabregas said: "This is a dream come true. To win in Milan 2-0, it is amazing.

"William (Gallas) said before the game enjoy the atmosphere. That is what we did.

"But this is just the beginning. We are now in the quarter-finals but we have not done anything. It is just one more step."