Arsenal academy coach Steve Bould admits they were fortunate to beat Manchester United in their Premier League semifinal playoff.

Arsenal knocked out United on penalties after scores were left at 1-1 after 120 minutes.

Bould told arsenal.com: "I thought it was a smashing game to watch and there were chances at either end. I thought in the first half we were very good but in the second half, playing against the wind, we struggled a little bit. They had a few chances and I thought (goalkeeper) James Shea was outstanding at times. I thought we just pinched the game."

Bould added: "It has been a very good season. It has been tough at times for them. As an overall team I guess it isn't quite as strong as last year's but there are certainly four, five, six players there that you would consider might have the potential to be top-class players."