Arsene Wenger has taken a surprisingly bullish approach to this season’s Champions League by claiming Arsenal finally have the maturity to conquer Europe.
The Gunners get their campaign under way tonight when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in Group A at the Parc des Princes.
Arsenal have flattered to deceive in European football’s premier club competition in recent seasons, not making it past the last-16 stage since 2010. Wenger, though, believes their below-par Champions League form is about to change.
The big-money summer captures of Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi have significantly strengthened Arsenal’s squad. And Wenger, who last night confirmed he has rejected three approaches from PSG, believes the north Londoners are ready to assert themselves as a European superpower.
Given he is into the final 12 months of his Emirates deal this could be Wenger’s last chance at landing the only major prize that has eluded him.
‘This is my strongest squad, certainly, and certainly the oldest as well,’ said the Frenchman (below). ‘I would say it’s the most mature squad I’ve had for a long time, because they are men. They are not 19 or 20 years old, they are 24, 27, 28 and the whole squad is quite mature.
‘It’s the first time for a long time that I’ve had a team of what you can call men ready to compete.
‘We have to show that we are good enough to beat everybody else. I always believed we had a chance, even when we had young players. But certainly I haven’t had a squad of players like this for a long time, who have enough experience to compete.
‘I was used to playing with my younger squads when you build a stadium because you don’t have the resources. Now I have a team with more experienced players. The squad is between 24 and 30, basically. That’s where you have a good combination of physical strength and experience. But we want to keep giving chances to young players and get the mixture right.’
Had PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi had his way then Wenger would be sitting in the home dug-out tonight. Three times the Qatari has tried and failed to lure Wenger from London — in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Before yesterday, Wenger had never confirmed PSG’s interest in his services. But last night the 66-year-old broke his silence about one of football’s worst kept secrets, insisting his bond with Arsenal was too big to break. ‘Why didn’t I say yes to PSG? Because I love where I am,’ said Wenger. ‘I know the owners at PSG well but I feel always I remained loyal to Arsenal because I think it’s a club that has the qualities I love. That’s why.’
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will make his first playing return to France since losing the Euro 2016 final. The France international sustained a facial injury during the 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday and was a doubt.
But Wenger confirmed: ‘He’s all right. He had a big knock on his face but recovered quite well. I was concerned after the game that he wouldn’t be available. ‘Is he one of the best defenders in the world? I’d like to say yes. No one is indispensable but he has taken on a new status with us. He has experience, self-confidence.
‘He’s always had talent and that hasn’t always been recognised in France because he left Lorient, not a big club. So he didn’t have the reputation he deserved. But he’s made his name in England.
‘I think he’s one of the best in the world. I hope he proves that tomorrow.’
Wenger has hinted he will field his strongest side as he looks to avoid a repeat of last season’s poor start.
The Arsenal manager sprang a surprise by resting goalkeeper Petr Cech in place of second-choice David Ospina for the first two group games against Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos — which both ended in defeats.
But Wenger said yesterday: ‘We had a bad start last year, losing to Dinamo Zagreb in the first game, then a hiccup at home against Olympiacos. What we need to do to win the group stage is get a good result here.’
Daily Mail