The Gunners came from behind to win their their play-off second leg at Udinese 2-1 to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory.

The result eased the pressure on a beleaguered Wenger, who was under immense pressure following what has been one of the most miserable fortnight of his near 15 years in charge.

The Frenchman has been forced to answer questions about his future following six trophyless campaigns at the Emirates and more would have followed had they failed to reach the Champions League for the first time in 14 seasons.

"We live in a society where everybody has an opinion on everything," Wenger said after watching Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott turn tonight's game on its head.

"I'm like somebody who flies a plane for 30 years and I have to accept that somebody can come into the cockpit and thinks he can fly the plane better than I do.

"But that's part of our job and we have to accept that.

"I just would like to say that the club is in overall a very strong position because tonight, for 15 years on the trot, we play in the Champions League.

"We have a new stadium and a fantastic training ground, a very good financial situation and a very strong team."

Wenger was confident tonight's win would lift the gloom that has surrounded the club following the double departure of captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, a winless start to the Barclays Premier League season and a raft of injuries and suspensions.

"We have been a little bit under pressure and for us not to play the Champions League and with the players who left, that pressure would've increased, understandably," he added.

"Since the beginning of the season, I feel a very strong, determined attitude within the team."

That determination has so often been lacking in recent seasons but it was in evidence tonight after Arsenal trailed at half-time to Antonio Di Natale's header.

Admitting his relief, Wenger said: "We responded in a very positive way, even being down 1-0.

"We had a fantastic second half.

"I'm very happy because we kept composure.

"We kept dominating, playing the football we want to play."

The tie was still in the balance when Wojciech Szczesny produced a brilliant penalty save to deny Di Natale making it 2-1 on the night.

"That was a turning point of the game," Wenger said.

"It was at 1-1. I think not only did it keep us of course qualified in a comfortable way.

"You could see mentally it has an impact on their belief and they were not the same team after they missed the penalty."

Wenger's transfer policy was also vindicated somewhat by an outstanding performance from summer signing Gervinho, who laid on the equaliser.

"I told you yesterday and many times that he will be a big player for us," Wenger said.

"Sometimes the quality of the player is linked with the transfer amount and it is not always the case."

Wenger also played his part at half-time, having been allowed to perform his usual duties after UEFA deferred his two-match touchline ban.

"It was important today because we were under pressure and I still have some experience," he said.

Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin admitted his side had been beaten by the better team over two legs.

"First, we need to accept that Arsenal is a stronger team," he said.

"They came here and showed great personality and I'm happy we kept the result so close over the two matches.

"If we would've scored the penalty, there would've been 20 minutes of fire on the pitch.

"But after that, we stopped playing."

Guidolin was hoping tonight's defeat would not derail his side's entire season, as it might have done their opponents.

He said: "It's three months we have been thinking about this dream so psychologically, we could be affected."