Wenger: We want to finish first
Tomas Rosicky's back in contention after a knee injury
Also In The News
|
By Michael Younger. |  |
Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 12:45
By Michael Younger.
Arsenal go into this evening's Group H game at the Emirates Stadium against Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, determined to avoid any slip-ups as they continue their bid to seal progression to the last-16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners can book their place in the next round tonight, if they defeat Alkmaar and Greek giants Olympiakos avoid defeat against Standard Liege.
But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not be satisfied unless his team finish first in the group.
Wenger said: "We want to finish first in the group and that will not be done on Wednesday, but we can make the first step - to win and qualify.
"That will be a big step but you know we were warned at Alkmaar that this team has quality, that, in my opinion, they focus highly on the Champions League."
The Gunners go into the game full of confidence after maintaining their fine form with a convincing victory over local rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, although Wenger's starting line-up has been rocked by an injury to Gael Clichy.
The French full-back has been ruled out for a month after sustaining a suspected stress fracture to his back during training.
Clichy joins the extending casualty list at the Emirates, which includes strikers Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Theo Walcott (knee), goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski (thigh) and midfielders Denilson (back) and Jack Wilshere (ankle).
However, Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky returns to the squad following a knee injury.
Alkmaar manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping his side can pick up all three points to get back into contention for a top-two finish after a disappointing and winless start to their group campaign.
Koeman will have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, with Mounir El Hamdaoui the only absentee.