Champions League - Wenger: Defeat would be "criminal"

Eurosport - Thu, 28 Aug 10:57:00 2008

Arsene Wenger says it would be "criminal" for Arsenal to lose their focus against FC Twente and miss a £20million Champions League windfall.

FOOTBALL 2008/09 Champions League FC Twente manager Steve McClaren meets Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - 0

The Gunners eventually came through a stern examination by Steve McClaren's men in the first leg a fortnight ago in Arnhem, where late goals from captain William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor put them in the driving seat.

However, Wenger maintains there is still work to be done to ensure the north London club take their place among Europe's elite once again.

"That is a danger to be complacent, but there is so much at stake it would be criminal not to be focused," said Wenger, whose side reached the 2006 European Cup final against Barcelona in Paris.

"It is either being in the group stages on Friday or being out.

"Anything can happen at that level because we had a very difficult first leg - but it cannot be just because you were taking this game lightly."

Key midfielder Cesc Fabregas is expected to be back in the team after missing the start of the campaign with a hamstring problem.

Wenger, though, is not expecting an easy ride.

"The tie is not dead because you could see from the first leg how quickly we could score two goals from nothing," he said.

"We have done the job well at Twente, but the job is not over.

"We have to respect Twente and come into the game with a desire to win.

"It is not always easy to go into a match when you lead 2-0, but I want us to be positive and to win it."

The Gunners - who opened the previous campaign with a 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions - were well below par in Saturday's Premier League defeat at Fulham, and Wenger was clearly irked by the lacklustre display.

However, while the doom mongers may already be predicting a bleak outlook for the future of his young side over the next nine months, the Arsenal manager fully expects a response tonight.

"We were not good on Saturday and we lost the game, it is as simple as that," said Wenger.

"You cannot want the supporters not to take it to heart because we do. We are all very disappointed with our performance.

"We completely understand the critics because we were not good - but we promise we will come back and play well, to put a good performance in."

TeamTalk / Eurosport

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  1. Barry a goal threat? I've seen a bannana with more threat in front of goal! Who was Gareth Barry over the last few years? NO1! and all of a sudden ppl rave on about him and even when playing for England last week he showed he's just an average player. Villa are keeping him so Arsenal need Xabi!

    From Jamie, on Thu 28 Aug 11:37AM

  2. good result for the gunners but we need to get gareth barry for extra goals threat.robert w

    From ROBERT, on Thu 28 Aug 10:14AM

  3. we need to do more better this season i dont matter what any one say we need silver ware this season, we are good lets deliver then , side is young thats good but nothing jet, i hear this all season time for change more world class player we need to go forward not back ward, we step up ok, i am gunners fans for life no matter what. jus want sum result ok

    From philip, on Thu 28 Aug 9:19AM

  4. peterfarrelly!! your father yansh.lol

    From abia, on Thu 28 Aug 9:14AM

  5. as a sunderland fan who grew up as a junior gunner, i still look out for arsenal results. i feel they play the best, most entertaining football in the premiership, or even europe. Wenger is building a team that will conquer the premiership and europe when the youngsters in the squad are at a mature age - average age only about 25 or so?

    From mrharveymark, on Thu 28 Aug 12:00AM

  6. I PREDICT THAT IT WILL BE 4-0 TO ARSENAL.

    From Wilson-M, on Wed 27 Aug 10:01PM

  7. kyo whatever your name is, what exactly do you think you have contributed to the dicussion with a bla bla @#$%?

    From slivatree, on Wed 27 Aug 8:00PM

  8. bla bla @#$%

    From kyo_mh2006, on Wed 27 Aug 7:43PM

  9. I think if our playars can go thier and play the game with thier power vitory is yours,and i belive we can make it this time by GOD Grace.Particularly Emmanuel Adebayor must deliver for us ang fabigars. I pray we shall WIN TWENTE FC.

    I still Remain GUNNERS 4 LIFE
    LONG LIVE WINGER
    LONG LIVE PLAYERS
    LONG LIVE ALL THE FANS

    SEGUN ALABI PORT HARCOURT NIGERIA
    +234-08076442827

    From alabi, on Wed 27 Aug 7:17PM

  10. why play cesc at all surely we can finnish of twenty and at the emirates any chance of borrowing some of that 20 mil on alonso

    From rpatel_rp, on Wed 27 Aug 5:18PM

  11. Magic 84.... we heard these comments last year and the year before that..Wenger has peaked

    From peterfarrelly@..., on Wed 27 Aug 3:52PM

  12. Arsenal have lethal strikers mate.. Adebayor - 2nd highest goal scorer last season, Robin Van Persie - finding his form after injury, Carlos Vela - turning into one of the quickest and most talented strikers around, Eduardo - prolific goal scoring record and will hopefully be back at his best following his injury, Bendtner - another developing striker with great potential. We have an excellent team this year, give us time and we will show the world what Wenger has been planning all these years! :)

    From Jamie, on Wed 27 Aug 2:30PM

  13. i think if Twente really attack arsenal at the Emirates trying to get the goals back that they need and play an open game Arsenal will completely turn them over.

    From zac.fawcett, on Wed 27 Aug 1:15PM

  14. send out the same team he did against twnte the last time and they will beat dem again :)

    From daniel, on Wed 27 Aug 12:31PM

  15. We just need Xabi, he is the answer!!!!!!and we need a lethal striker....

    From john o, on Wed 27 Aug 11:19AM

  16. I was really gutted when I learnt that Senderos was off to Milan. I was so looking forward to Drogba mugging him like he always does.

    From peterfarrelly@..., on Wed 27 Aug 11:11AM

  17. All you need do is to approach the game with ease and hyper concentration to see off FC Twente. Recall that they were very physical two weeks ago and might want to opt for that style again. But they should realise they're coming to the Emirates where the best football is being played. Just do it the ARSENAL way and all other things will be history. Go 4 it, GUNNERS 4 EVER.
    McCarthy (Warri, Nigeria 234-0805 0667 298)

    From mckoyng, on Wed 27 Aug 10:26AM
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