Arsene Wenger met with the press after his side finally dropped out of the Champions League and seemed in decent enough spirits.

Watching his side go toe-to-toe with the best side in the world, he saw a different beast than he’s had to watch domestically, that’s for sure.

Arsenal were, for the most part, pretty good and even managed to carve out a number of very good chances. That they then went and wasted those chances was probably not a surprise to anyone given how things have been going recently.

After the game, Wenger seemed calm, happy, and not at all upset by what he’d seen.

“I think the performance was first of all good,” Wenger said. “It was a great game between two good teams.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 16: Arsene Wenger Manager of Arsenal gestures during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC at Camp Nou on March 16, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“We went out [of the Champions League] with regrets, of course, but I must say they have exceptional talent. [In his press conference he went on to add “Barcelona have two or three players who transfer normal life into art.”]

“It was a turning point at 1-1, we were wobbling a bit, we were insecure. I think if we’d scored the second goal we could have created a sensation tonight.

“I know it is difficult to take to go out but I believe we gave a good performance against the best side in the world.”

Wenger was full of praise for Barcelona and even said the referee had a very good game. His referee comment came in reaction to being asked if Alex Iwobi should have had a penalty.

Wenger said he didn’t see it.