Wenger: Arsenal not dead

ARSENE WENGER may have been less than impressed by the manner of Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League defeat in Porto, but maintains the tie is still very much alive.

The Gunners have it all to do to reach the quarter-finals after blunders from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski proved costly at Estadio do Dragao.

The Poland internationalist was caught out of position to gift Porto an early lead. Sol Campbell equalised with his first Arsenal goal since the 2006 Champions League final, only to then be involved in the match's controversial moment at the start of the second half.

Fabianski picked up what was deemed a back-pass from the former Gunners captain, with referee Martin Hansson allowing it to be taken quickly as Falcao swept the ball into the net.

Wenger was far from happy with the whole incident.

"It is difficult to swallow a defeat like that," said the Arsenal manager. "The goals we conceded were difficult to imagine in a Champions League game. We are still in the tie and have a good opportunity to turn it around in the second game. I am convinced we will do it."

The Frenchman could, however, not fathom why the second Porto goal was allowed to stand.

"The back-pass was accidental. The ball hit Sol. It was not on purpose and it has to be intentional to be a free-kick."