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Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere defends Arsene Wenger after Bayern Munich defeat

Image: Jack Wilshere: Leapt to the defence of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere leapt to Arsene Wenger's defence after the 3-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich at The Emirates.

Wenger has challenged his side to regroup to mount a final push for Champions League qualification again next season, all but admitting the tie is over. "We will have two battles, but maybe the easier battle will be to be back in the Champions League," he said. "However, we have to give everything to try and change things in the second leg. But let's not hide the truth: it will be extremely difficult against a team of that quality. "We have to give our best and hope we have built our confidence up a bit more, because that belief will be needed." Wenger added: "The quality of my players is there, but they are not getting reward for their efforts. "I still have confidence in my players and in my team but on this evidence there is clearly work to be done. "However, you have to give them (Bayern) credit for their class. In patches in the first half, it was a difference of quality in their display to ours." Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes, meanwhile, hailed the "astonishing" form of his side following another imperious display. He said: "Arsenal allowed us a few things in their defence, but we are in astonishing form and can punish even the smallest mistakes of the opponent. "At times it was quite difficult for us, we had to work hard, but even when they were putting pressure on us, we coped well." Heynckes' side were beaten in last season's Champions League final, held at their Allianz Arena home, by Chelsea. However, despite looking well set for another shot at European glory at Wembley in May, the German remains pragmatic. "You cannot afford to underestimate an opponent because in football, we have seen everything," he said. "But in this season it is very difficult against us, you can see that with our position in the league, conceding just seven gaols, that is amazing. "We are also in a position to score, so we have a good chance to progress. "But if we were to progress Arsenal can still have options in the Premier League to make the Champions League, the team has potential and class."

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