"We had a lot of chances and were clearly better than them, but we just could not do it," he said.

"We are very sad and frustrated because we know that everybody only remembers the finalists in the Champions League and we could not make it."

The Spanish side were kept at bay in both legs, losing 1-0 in the first leg at Highbury and held to a goalless draw at home.

Forlan's team mates had many chances to score especially in the dying seconds from the spot but Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann blocked Riquelme's effort.

"We were convinced before the game that we could qualify and we spoke about that in the dressing room before the start, and for that reason we played as well as we did," Forlan said.