But crucially Theo Walcott reduced the deficit just before half-time to set up the platform for an incredible second half revival that took thm game into extra time.

Marouane Chamakh put Arsenal in front for the first time on the night with a goal in the first period of extra time only for Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak to make it 5-5. But Walcott restored Arsenal's lead before Chamakh scored Arsenal's seventh.

"It was 4-0, it could have been one or two more," Wenger added. "We came back, but still at 89 minutes it was 4-2. But then the miracle happened. There were so many turning points. Our first before half-time was important. It's my first 7-5. It was a tennis score."

Wenger said he knew the pain of relinquishing a four goal advantage but explained that his team had drawn inspiration from the supporters.

"They had a fantastic first half," Wenger said. "I know how it feels to lose a 4-0 lead It happened to me at Newcastle. I always hoped we could come back. It's strange to explain. At 4-0 you think you have won the game, but at 4-2 the panic starts to set in.

"At 4-0 I didn't feel great, I started to think about half-time. Inspiration was not difficult, there was enough to say. I just felt sorry for the fans, they stuck with us. A big part stayed and supported us and I give them credit. I give the ones who left less credit."

"This maybe my greatest comeback, I don't know. [The Capital One Cup] is not my priority but had we gone out like we could have gone out it would not have been one of my proudest nights."

- BBC