Arsene Wenger insists the bitter taste of their Champions League
exit against PSV last year will ensure Arsenal do not make the same
mistake this season.
The Gunners are currently one of the form sides of Europe, and will
be looking to extend their 100% Group H record when they host
Slavia Prague on Tuesday night.
Wenger's men more than impressed with their superb 3-0 victory over
Sevilla at Emirates Stadium and picked up another positive return
from what could have proved a tricky trip to Steaua
Bucharest.
Yet the Arsenal manager is all too aware of the danger of
complacency, his side having crashed out in the first knock-out
round to then unfancied Dutch side 2-1 on aggregate.
"The big frustration in our throats is how we went out last year
against PSV Eindhoven. That frustration is still very lively," said
Wenger, who lead Arsenal to the Champions League final in
2006.
"To get that out, I do not think we will have any chance to relax
against teams like Slavia Prague because we have been knocked out
last season by PSV."
Wenger insisted: "We have a year's more experience now and have a
squad which is really of a very good level, where everybody can
play.
"I believe the strength of this group is that despite their youth
they can handle that - they lack fear because they can play.
"Confidence is a very important factor in our game.
"When you do not start well, you have to be even stronger to get
back and you need even more experience.
"So with a young squad like we had it was important, especially
with the season we had where belief was a bit down, to start well
early and we have done that.
"The players will be up for it. Can we sustain our pace at the
moment? That is a question I understand, but why not?
"On the performance we have shown until now, it is not only that we
can win the games, but also that we have quality."
Slavia knocked Dutch giants Ajax out of the qualifiers to make
their first foray into Europe's elite club competition. Ironically,
the Gunners came through their clash with city rivals Sparta to
make the group stages.
The Czechs - who have former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer
in their squad - beat Steaua Bucharest, but then lost 4-2 against
Sevilla in Spain.
Wenger has been impressed by the improvement of sides from central
and eastern Europe in the Champions League.
"It looks like the Eastern Bloc is coming back," he said.
"Why? Because more and more people have money and at the start they
wanted to invest it in western football, but now they want to
invest that in their own country."
Wenger, meanwhile, feels it is now high time he no longer had to
address questions on the "political issues" behind the scenes at
Arsenal.
The board announced at Thursday's annual general meeting they have
entered a new lock-down agreement not to sell any more
shares.
Managing director Keith Edelman revealed American investor Stan
Kroenke - who holds around a 12% stake - is keen to "form a closer
relationship with the club", which may yet include also signing up
to the board's initiative.
Arsenal already have a marketing alliance with Colorado Rapids who
play in the United States Major Soccer League.
However, suggestions the Gunners could follow the likes of Chelsea
on an American tour where quickly rebuffed.
Wenger said: "I am not a big fan of that.
"You travel a lot, you do not prepare properly and do not promote
your brand a lot more, but you make some money. That is the only
advantage."
