Wenger rues replay

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Wenger had hoped his much-changed side would overcome the Bluebirds, who were last season's beaten finalists, at the first time of asking. But now the sides will meet again at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, February 3, with the winners at home to either West Brom or Burnley.

"We could do without it, 100%, but let's not complain because we play football. It's one more game to play and if that's the price we have to pay to stay in the hat, we're happy to do it," said Wenger.

Although the fit-again William Gallas was able to watch all 90 minutes of the fourth-round clash from the bench at Ninian Park, Wenger felt the need to send on substitutes Emmanuel Adebayor and Abou Diaby in the second half as Cardiff repeatedly threatened to pull off an upset.

"We are very short at the moment and cannot rotate very much," he added.

"I could rest a few players but not as many as I had wanted. I had planned to take Robin van Persie off, but it didn't work that way."

Cardiff never let Arsenal settle and came close on five occasions in the first 20 minutes. Dave Jones' side also almost won it near the end when Ross McCormack's long-range free-kick beat goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski but hit the crossbar rather than the back of the net.

Jones was adamant his players deserved to be in the fifth-round draw.

He said: "Man for man, every single person did his job and beyond it. To keep a clean sheet against a side like Arsenal is fantastic for them. It'll give them the confidence to kick on in the back end of the season.

"We don't want them to think that they've done it, and I don't think they will. The work ethic is phenomenal at this football club and we didn't tire, we didn't falter."