Wenger: This team always has an answer

omgukilledkenny SG

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Villarreal v Arsenal (2.45)

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are capable of winning the Champions League if they can get past Villarreal.

The Gunners are not considered to be among the tournament favourites, but they have been bolstered by a number of key players returning from injury and are now starting to find form in the league.

And while Wenger is convinced that he can lead Arsenal to the Champions League for the first time this season, he knows they must first focus on defeating Villarreal.

“At the moment, we are outsiders to win the trophy, but we can deal with that,” he said.

“I believe we have the strengths to deal with the challenge that we are facing, but let’s first get through this challenge.

“That means trying to get rid of Villarreal.

“I believe we are in front of a massive game, and the way we will deal with that will decide if we have a chance to win the trophy or not.”

Gunners (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Song, Silvestre, Djourou, Gibbs, Ramsey, Bendtner, Eboue, Vela, Merida, Wilshere.

zocoss SG

Van Persie - groin trouble.

VAN PERSIE RULED OUT

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will miss Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Villarreal with a groin injury.

However, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott have been passed fit for the clash at El Madrigal after a virus and knee injury respectively.

Midfielder Andrey Arshavin is ineligible having played for Zenit St Petersburg during the group stages. Striker Eduardo (groin) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) remain sidelined, while long-term absentee Tomas Rosicky continues his recovery.

Arsene Wenger feels Arsenal are playing well enough to take control of the tie on Tuesday night.

The Gunners struggled for consistency in the early part of the season but they have been in fine form of late and have not been beaten in the Premier League since November.

Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday and Wenger is looking forward to his men producing another good performance at El Madrigal.

zocoss SG

I think a draw for this match... Villarreal at home not so easy, but gunners are quite on form... But still no Rvp and Arshavin could be a lot of difference...

omgukilledkenny SG

so much talk about Pires, and he's on the bench!

zocoss SG

omgukilledkenny SG

i feel quite sad for pires really.

"The squad we have is one of the best, not only in Spain, but in the whole of Europe." The words of Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires, who has now discovered the down side of playing for one of the best sides in Europe is that there is a high chance you'll be left on the bench for one of the biggest games of the season.

SiMiLaiEh* SG

sorry pires, that semis spot is ours with 2nd leg at emirates

omgukilledkenny SG

Arsene Wenger thinks Arsenal’s 1-1 draw in Villarreal proves his young players' newfound ability to cope with adversity.

In an apparent microcosm of their season to date, The Gunners came under severe pressure for much of the first half on Tuesday evening and had to cope with injuries – this time to William Gallas and Manuel Almunia – before clawing their way back into the tie thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor’s sumptuous goal.

That away goal leaves Wenger’s side in pole position to progress to the last four and Wenger is confident that his fledglings’ increased stature can see them through.

"It puts us in a great position, but we want to qualify at home and to repeat the type of performance we did in the second half," he said.

"I am confident, the quality we have shown added to the mental strength and desire we have shown

"But we know Villarreal are a good team as well, so we will be on our toes and focused at Emirates.

“This team has shown the whole season they are mentally very strong and when they have back to the wall, these young players always find an answer which is very interesting for a young team.

"I believe we have created momentum. We are a very young team, but are capable to focus.

"We have shown with the consistency we have in the championship that we are able to concentrate every three days, and at that age, that is a big quality."