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Arsene Wenger-"We can hurt Man U at home"

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  • Arsene Wenger-"We can hurt Man U at home"

    The Gunners failed to fire at Old Trafford last Wednesday night and were more than fortunate to leave only one goal down, after being torn apart during the opening exchanges as John O'Shea put United in the driving seat.
    When inspired goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was finally beaten again, Cristiano Ronaldo's 25-yard strike came back off the crossbar while Ryan Giggs was denied a goal on his 800th appearance by an offside flag.
    At the other end, Arsenal - utilising a five-man midfield missing cup-tied Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin - failed to really stretch the United backline, as England winger Theo Walcott's threat was nullified by the clever deployment of Wayne Rooney on the left side of a front three.
    Nevertheless, as his team trail by only one goal, all is not lost and Wenger is confident Arsenal can show their true attacking potential on Tuesday night.
    The Gunners have yet to concede in the Champions League this season at Emirates Stadium, where they remain unbeaten over 90 minutes in European competition.
    "We were unable to penetrate and create clear-cut chances, which is the one regret of the night, but the positive is that Manchester United had chances to win by more than one," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
    "The midfield and strikers did a tremendous defensive job, but lacked a bit of sharpness going into the final third.
    "I believe our midfield played a bit deep to give complete support, which created an isolation.
    "The midfield had a feeling that there were not enough solutions in front of them and the strikers that they had not enough support - both are right and that happens sometimes in games."
    Wenger maintained: "We feel we will perform better on Tuesday night and are still completely in it.
    "I do not say we are happy with a 1-0, because you can never say that you are happy after a defeat, but we are still only at half-way and at the Emirates, we have a good opportunity to beat them."
    Arsenal have improved over the last three months of the campaign, and in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium, their rearguard has not been breached since the Liverpool game on December 21.
    United were beaten 2-1 there back in early November, and Wenger is keen to make the most of home advantage.
    "We have a good defensive record at the Emirates, and in the Premier League Manchester United have suffered in away games," the Arsenal manager said.
    "We can have an attacking style at home without conceding goals, and that is what we want on Tuesday night.
    "I believe in the strength of character in this team and there desire to go through - that will certainly be a huge motivation."
    Defender Bacary Sagna feels Arsenal have to use the lessons of their Old Trafford capitulation.
    "We will be playing in front of our own fans and have to play our own game, not worrying about the other team," the French full-back.
    "We do not need to think about the scoreline, just putting them under the same pressure as they did to us at Old Trafford."

  • #2
    Possible?!

    Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssss!
    GO GUNNERS!
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

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    • #3
      Arsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal players to enjoy the crunch Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United and produce the performance needed to keep their European dream alive.
      The Gunners should be fresh for the all-or-nothing showdown with the European Cup holders, who will take a slender 1-0 advantage to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, after Wenger made eight changes for the Barclays Premier League trip to Portsmouth where his youngsters ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
      Arsenal failed to stretch United at Old Trafford, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia turning in an inspired display to give his team-mates a fighting chance of still reaching Rome.
      While accepting his side have to rise to the challenge against Sir Alex Ferguson's men, the Arsenal manager also knows playing their own natural game will be key.
      "Football is enjoyment first, no matter what is at stake," Wenger said.
      "You can only play well if you enjoy what you do and enjoy the level of the game, to enjoy the game we love."
      Wenger continued: "I believe the semi-final away from home is the most difficult game in the Champions League competition because you are 90 minutes away from the Champions League final.
      "That is what we have to produce on Tuesday night - the game worthy of a semi-final. We have to make it hard for them.
      "We will not win with 11 players. You win it with 14 players.
      "No matter who starts, what is important is that everybody is focused so they can come on and help the team to qualify."
      Striker Nicklas Bendtner will have done his case for a place in the starting XI no harm at all after a strong display at Fratton Park, scoring the opening goal - with a bit of help from England keeper David James - and a well-dispatched penalty.
      Arsenal's leading scorer Robin van Persie faces a race against time to be fit from a niggling groin problem, and so Wenger accepts team selection will rest somewhat on the options at his disposal.
      "We looked more comfortable with 4-4-2 and it looked more threatening, but it also depends on who is available," the Arsenal manager said.
      "However, when you play [Theo] Walcott on the right you play more 4-3-2-1.
      "He is a winger not a midfielder, so you have to balance the side to be a bit more defensive.
      "Also, when [Cesc] Fabregas plays behind the striker, the striker looks to be a little isolated so you have to get the balance of the team right."
      England forward Theo Walcott, Bacary Sagna and Alex Song - who dropped back to the centre of defence - were the only survivors from Old Trafford.
      Wenger maintains 20-year-old Walcott will be one of his key weapons again on Tuesday.
      "I wanted to win the game against Portsmouth, and when you are 19 or 20 years old you can recover in three days," he said.
      "I gave Theo a good breather and took him off with 25 minutes to go. That was just perfect for him and he will not be fazed on Tuesday night."
      Arsenal are now sure of another top four finish following an unbeaten 21-match run in the Barclays Premier League.
      While that is something of an achievement in itself given the Gunners' inconsistent opening to the campaign, Wenger has not yet ruled out overtaking Chelsea to gain automatic qualification into next season's Champions League.
      "We play Chelsea, they won again and of course it will be short now," said Wenger, his side six points behind with three to play.
      "We have to beat them, they have to draw another game - but we will try."

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