Champions League: Arsenal boss Wenger thanks Podolski for late birthday gift

Brussels Arsene Wenger heaped praise on Lukas Podolski after the German international came off the bench to seal a 21 win in a remarkable finish to Arsenals Champions League clash with Anderlecht on Wednesday On the day he turned 65 Wenger was forced to gamble after his team went 10 down at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels through an Andy Najar goal in the 71st minuteThe Frenchman looked to the bench and one of his changes was to replace midfielder Jack Wilshere with forward Podolski six minutes from time Leftback Kieran Gibbs volleyed in an equaliser in the 89th minute to spare the blushes but Podolski came up with the winner in injury time to give Arsenal an unlikely win at the end of a disappointing displayArsenals Polishborn German striker Lukas Podolski R shoots and scores during a UEFA Champions League group stage football match Anderlecht vs Arsenal at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium in Anderlecht on October 22 2014 AFPI know by experience that in the last five minutes in the Champions League the nerves play a part but we had to get there without conceding a second goal Wenger saidIt is a little bit of a gambling situation that happens in these games and it worked tonightPodolski we know can always score you a goal He is frustrated and I can understand that but he is important said Wenger of his World Cupwinning forward who has struggled with fitness problems of lateHe needs to get back to a good physical level and now he is nearly there added Wenger who dismissed talk that the 29yearold almost left the Emirates Stadium in the summerHe was never close to leaving the club in the summer He has 115 caps for Germany that is not a coincidence He is a guy you want to have in the box because his shot accuracy is great I know when he comes on that he can score a goalFor long spells it was a birthday to forget for Wenger but the late turnaround allowed him to face the media with a spring in his step in contrast to his frosty mood after Saturdays 22 draw with Hull City in the Premier LeagueThe Gunners had won just two of nine games in all competitions before travelling to Brussels and they were outfought by Besnik Hasis supposedly inferior opponents Indeed at 10 down they needed two vital saves from Emiliano Martinez to keep them in the game and Wenger said he never doubted the 22yearold Argentinian who was making his Champions League debut in the absence of the suspended Wojciech Szczesny and the injured David OspinaI had no worry for our goalkeeper because he has the presence and the quality He resists well to stress said Wenger who nevertheless accepted that the overall performance from his side was not good enough Unexpected It was disappointing we didnt create more chances tonight than we did but that is because Anderlecht defended very well But the turning point was not to concede a second goal they had a big chance that they didnt take and our experience made the differenceIt is a bit unexpected to take the three points considering the quality of match that Anderlecht played tonight Wengers side have six points from three games three points fewer than Group D leaders Borussia Dortmund who won 40 at Galatasaray but five ahead of Anderlecht and the Turks and a win at home to the Belgians in a fortnight could take them through to the last 16Meanwhile Anderlecht who have finished bottom of their group in each of their last seven appearances at this stage of the competition felt they deserved better on the night for their committed performance My team was almost perfect except for the last three minutes We should have won the game definitely said home coach Hasi after his side slipped to a sixth consecutive home defeat at this stage of the competitionWe couldnt get the second goal and paid for it dearly It was a lack of concentration We have a young team added Hasi who also complained that Arsenals winning goal should have been ruled out for a supposed foul on Steven Defour