Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was satisfied after his side's 2-2 draw away at Manchester City.
The result means the Gunners are almost certain of securing third place in the table and enjoy automatic qualification in the Champions League.
The Frenchman also admitted that he is worried for striker Danny Welbeck who was substituted after 24 minutes of the game.
"I was surprised by the intensity of City's start," Wenger told Sky Sports and BBC's Match of the Day.
"We expected an intense game but they really came out with strong pressure. The good thing is that we absorbed it and we've shown good character today.
"Man City today decided to give a big present to Pellegrini in his last home game - they were on fire. When it was 1-1 it didn't look like we would score but when we were 2-1 down we looked hungry and dangerous again. The players wanted not to lose.
"When it was 2-1 I wanted to bring on [Santi] Cazorla to get greater fluency, but at 2-2 I went for a bit more security because they had a number of attacking players on, like Bony and Sterling.
"We have to finish the job now in the league against Villa - we want to finish the season with a win at home.
"I am not disappointed because twice we were losing and twice we came back. It was a game that was very, very intense. It was an unbelievable fight today and the most intense we have played for a while.
"It was Danny Welbeck's knee again - let's be optimistic and wait until he has had a scan.
"The first signs [for Danny Welbeck's injury] look like lateral meniscus. He looks down, and he's not a guy who likes to go off. I'm a bit worried. I don't want to say about the Euros - let's be a bit more optimistic.
"Jack Wilshere had three games with the reserves and though he finished tired today he played well.
"It's difficult to measure how much we have missed him this season because of course you want your best players available so you can rotate. If you have injuries you cannot do that."
