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ARSENAL: Wenger - Our exciting and winnable draw against Madrid

/noticias.info/ By Richard Clarke

Exciting and winnable — that summed up Arsène Wenger’s feelings after Friday’s Champions League draw pitted his Arsenal side against Real Madrid.

The two teams have never met in European competition but that will change on Tuesday, February 21 when the Bernabeu hosts the first leg. Highbury holds the return game on Wednesday, March 8.

Perhaps Real are not at their flamboyant best right now. They are third in the Primera Liga and have not been in contention for Europe’s top honour in the last few years. As a result, Wanderley Luxemburgo, their fifth coach on 18 months, was sacked 10 days ago.

“But remember,” cautioned Wenger at Friday afternoon’s press conference, “this is Real Madrid and they have some of the best players in the world.

“When the ball goes to Ronaldo, Robinho then Zidane you can never relax completely because you know they can do something special.”

Exactly.

The Arsenal manager’s respectful confidence was laced with caution as he explained his feelings.

“It is difficult but makeable,” he said, “exciting as well. I expect them to be a better side in February than now with the quality of players they have and the financial power they have to buy in January.

“But for me it does change at lot. We are developing well and we will be stronger in February too because our young players become better and better.

“We have the quality. It does not come out completely in the games right now but the signs are there and we have huge potential. The team has to continue to develop and fight for the right to be the best.

“The first game in Madrid will have a huge impact on qualification. That is where it will be decided.

“But I am convinced that we can do it. Still I am more concerned about the present than the future at the moment. To do well in the future it is important for us to come back in Premiership.” notas_de_prensa_archivo