Arsenal’s thrilling come-from-behind victory over Catalan giants Barcelona in the Champions League round of the last 16 kept them in the hunt for a quadruple of domestic and European silverware.

The Gunners are Manchester United’s closest, possibly only, challengers for this year’s EPL title, despite the trauma of throwing away a 4-0 lead at Newcastle’s St James’s Park two weekends ago and being a little fortunate to come away with a 4-4 draw.

They face EPL strugglers Birmingham City in next week’s Carling (League) Cup final at Wembley.

 

They visit in-form League One Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fifth round this coming Sunday afternoon. Arsenal beat Orient 2-0 in the FA Cup semi-final in 1978.

And their dream of a third Wembley occasion remains alive after late goals from Robin Van Persie and Andrei Arshavin gave them a 2-1 win over the La Liga leaders which had looked unlikely for most of the evening.

After the match, a bullish Arsene Wenger said: “I am highly delighted. It was a special football night. Against Barcelona you are exposed many times when they have possession but we kept resilient and strong.”

Wenger admitted that Barca were still the favourites to progress after the second leg in the Camp Nou in three weeks time. But he added:

“We know now we can beat them. We didn’t know that last year. This gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief.

“We can be proud of the result, but more than pride, it can strengthen the belief in our philosophy.”

After beating Wolves 2-0 to stay within four points of Manchester United at the top of the EPL with twelve games left, Wenger insisted his side were still potential champions.

He said: “The title race is very much on and we are in a very good position.

“If we keep playing like that we have a very good chance. The team is strong mentally, we know what we want to achieve and we are up for it.”

Midfielder Abou Diaby is an injury doubt for the FA Cup visit to Leyton Orient after injuring his calf in France’s 1-0 international friendly win over Brazil in Paris last week.

Meanwhile, Belgian central defender Thomas Vermaelen is still some way from a return. Wenger said:

“When he is fit we will play him in the Reserve team. But not before two or three weeks.”