Jewell: This is a night to enjoy

Last updated : 25 January 2006 By Paul Farrington
Paul Jewell

"I am so pleased for the players, the chairman and the supporters. The players have done us proud tonight, whatever the result might have been.

"We've come to Arsenal and given them a right good game. We lost but for, we fully deserved to win it!

"We were always going to be up against it, but I thought we were quite dangerous on the break, we created some good chances, and we could have had a couple of penalties as well!

"But the lads showed character and we fought until the end and I think the win was justified.

"It is difficult to put into words, getting into the Premiership is the biggest thing to happen to Wigan, and staying there would still have been the biggest thing, but this is a wonderful bonus.

"Everyone associated with the football club should be proud of themselves, because this is a night to enjoy."

Dave Whelan

"Wigan Athletic in a cup final! Twenty-eight years ago we were playing non-league football, and now we've come to Arsenal and we've played really, really well. We played our socks off!

"We had two penalties turned down, and it is only my opinion, I thought they were diabolical decisions by the referee.

"However, I thought we played as well as Arsenal, and there were chances on both sides, and I thought it was a great game of football, and to win like that with the away goal counting.

"It is absolutely fantastic for the whole of Wigan, for all the supporters, for Paul and all his staff, and all the players, they deserve every single thing they've got. They have played so well tonight, and they fought, and fought, and fought.

"Since I played in a cup final at Wembley, this is probably the finest day. It could be Blackburn Rovers of course, and as you know I played for them in the final, or it could be Manchester United! It's going to be one fantastic day for the whole town of Wigan!"

Arsene Wenger

"It was unfortunate to lose in the last minute. We had two or three chances where we did too much. We didn't score the third goal but the team gave everything.

"Good luck to Wigan in the final. I feel their 'keeper had a great game. He kept them in the game but a night like that happens. We still won the game but it was not enough. We think we had a good game but it was the kind of cup tie that could go for both sides.

"If we have regrets it is the way we conceded the goal, it was a bit naive."