Arsene Wenger accepted Arsenal had made hard work of qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League - but maintained they should not fear anyone in their quest to conquer Europe.
Successive away defeats by Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga had left the Gunners - who opened their European campaign with three straight victories - still needing a result from Wednesday night's clash against Group H whipping boys Partizan Belgrade to secure safe passage through to the knockout stages for the 11th successive season.
After a lacklustre start, Robin van Persie fired the home side ahead from the penalty spot for his first goal of the season, only for Brazilian striker Cleo to net a shock equaliser on 52 minutes.
However, substitute Theo Walcott volleyed Arsenal back into the lead with man-of-the-moment Samir Nasri sweeping home a third before the hosts finished the 3-1 victory with 10 men when defender Bacary Sagna was shown a red card for a professional foul on 85 minutes.
Wenger's men were runners-up to Shakhtar and so will face Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Schalke in the knockout stages.
"I was never really nervous - worried, yes, because in football you can never say that you don't worry when you are 1-1," reflected the Arsenal boss.
"It was bit of a low-key game because we didn't find out pace or openings in their defence.
"I felt our speed of passing was not incisive enough and it was a bit nervous as well.
"They were focused on closing us down everywhere.
"But I felt we had the resources to score and in the last 20 minutes they would drop a little bit physically."
Arsenal were dumped out in the quarter-finals by Barcelona last season, and could be set for a swift return to the Nou Camp when European competition resumes in February.
"Let's be realistic, Barcelona are the super favourite at the moment," Wenger said, "but we take what we get and if it is Barcelona, it is Barcelona.
"We have played them already last year and we will see.
"It depends whether you have your best players available, whether we have a good level of confidence then.
"It is very difficult to predict how far you can go.
Now in the last 16 it becomes a different competition, a cup competition and that means for 180 minutes you have to be at your top."
