PROUD Lee Clark hailed Town’s battling FA Cup display at the Emirates Stadium and said: “We were outstanding to a man.”
The Galpharm side came within four minutes of taking Arsenal to a fourth round replay and as their manager pointed out: “We could have won it.”
Clark continued: “This was the best performance in my tenure as manager.
“There have been some spectacular ones previously, but when you put it into the context of where we were playing and who we were up against, this was superb.”
Opposite number Arsene Wenger said that at one stage he was seriously fearing defeat for his 10-man team – French centre back Sebastien Squillaci was sent off late in the first half for a foul on Jack Hunt.
And Clark added: “Coming from a man like Arsene that is a great compliment.”
“With 10 minutes to go every outcome was on the cards.
“I knew we could have won it, but I also knew that even with ten men they were capable of nicking it and that’s how it turned out.”
Clark played down suggestions that Arsenal’s penalty winner, put away confidently by Cesc Fabresgas, was controversial saying: “From where I was standing it looked to be a penalty. It was given and that is that.”
“But we had plenty of positives to take from the game.
“The individual performance of Jack Hunt (given a full debut at right back). The performance of Alan Lee and his first goal for the club, the display of Lee Peltier in midfield and the quality of Joey Gudjonsson, who showed just why I brought him to the club.”
Lee’s headed goal came in the 67th minute and Clark continued: “He played very well, but then I also thought he did well against Colchester.
“It was great to see him get the goal and hopefully there will be a lot more to come over the rest of the season.
“We take on Carlisle tomorrow and, without being disrespectful to Arsenal, that was always going to be the more important game for us because League I is our bread and butter and we are desperate to win promotion.”
