Wenger: It won't be a disaster if we don't score

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
09 Apr	7:45 PM	CL	Liverpool (A)	2	4	Lost

Manager Arsène Wenger has said that it will not be a disaster if the Gunners don't score against Liverpool in the Champions League tonight.

Arsenal take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League clash, and Wenger says that his team will be happy to emulate their victory over AC Milan by not scoring at home, but scoring away.

However, Wenger is also aware of the atmosphere at Anfield, where it is often heralded as a European fortress.

He said: "We can replicate [the Milan tie] of course. I felt the players believed they could do it that night.

"Liverpool will be a different opponent though. They will be more rough, more edgy and difficult to penetrate. Milan was a confrontation of two similar styles where we were better.

"Against Liverpool we will have to win the physical battle as well. Against Milan we were almost guaranteed to win that.

"Also Liverpool have 12 men in European games at home. [The atmosphere] has been a big factor in their success. They have turned many games at home.

"We want to win the game [tomorrow] but 0-0 is never a disappointing result at home in the first leg because it puts the team who plays against you at home under huge pressure.

"They play with the idea that if they concede a goal they are out. That puts them a little bit in-between. They think 'do we go for it or do we wait?' It gives you a good chance."

User Comments

Jack says

Posted on 4 Apr, 2008 at 01:16 PM - Reply

I stil b'liv dat ARSENAL can win both EPL & C.L
ders only 1 obstacle MAN-U if v beat dem den others r small clubs dey cant beat or draw against ARSENAL.

Jack says

Posted on 4 Apr, 2008 at 01:13 PM - Reply

I stil b'liv dat ARSENAL can win both EPL & C.L
ders only 1 obstacle MAN-U if v beat dem den others r small clubs dey cant beat or draw against ARSENAL.

fahmid

Posted on 3 Apr, 2008 at 08:53 AM - Reply

again referees are a gainst us .we deserved to win and torres is nothing against pacy defenders like toure and experienced defenders like gallas .gerrard is better.so we should keep gerrard quiet

Mose S.T

Posted on 3 Apr, 2008 at 07:41 AM - Reply

i agree that toure is not good at RB, eboue should fall back.diaby should feature in the 2nd leg.all in all arsenal played well.

Aussiefan

Posted on 3 Apr, 2008 at 12:59 AM - Reply

Please Wenger after tonights match, i hope you see Toure is a disability on the right, please start Walcott at Anfield and have Eboue move into Right back!! There was no overlapping creating havvoc down that right flank today and Toure was squared up and caught in no mans land a coupke of times!! Arsenal need to address and attack in anfield!!

VanPersieieie

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 11:32 PM - Reply

Any news on the Persie?

Robin

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 07:22 PM - Reply

Nikhil r u like 12 years old, u r an absolute spastic. u insult the manager, the players and u have no respect 4 the club. fuck off and die u little cunt.

Robin

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 06:32 PM - Reply

But then again so is Nikhil

Robin

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 06:30 PM - Reply

Nikhil is right the guy that said 3-0 to lfc is a retard

Nikhil

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 06:30 PM - Reply

I've never heard of a guy named Rafas.

RAFAS MOM

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 04:01 PM - Reply

Im rafas mom, my son is gay.. he has a boyfriend called hazza. they both suck cocks

BOY BETTER KNOW

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 03:05 PM - Reply

THIS GAME HAS GOT DRAW WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.THE GAME ON THE WEEKEND IS MORE IMPORTANT.I THINK WE WILL WIN THAT GAME.LIVERPOOL WILL FIELD A WEAKER TEAM AS THIS C.LEAGUE GAME IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THEM.ANYWAY EVEN IF WE DO GET THRU CAN YOU REALLY SEE US BEATING CHELSKI?AFTER WHAT HAPPEND IN THE LEAGUE THEY WILL AVERT TO LONG BALL TACTICS WHICH ARSENAL CAN NOT DEAL WITH.IF THEY PLAY CROUCH TONIGHT IT WILL BE VERY TRICKY TO DEAL WITH.

Nikhil

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 03:04 PM - Reply

wenger is an asshole. I don't mean Arsene I mean the guy who believes that Torres will score. We'll see what Torres cand do at the Emirates. Well said Jim. You have given me confidence that we may be able to win this match tonight.

wenger

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 02:55 PM - Reply

arsenal 0 liverpool 3
hatrick from torres.

Jim Lamb

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 01:26 PM - Reply

Agree with Gooner-we shouldd be out to beat liverpool tonight.I understand where AW is tho-its a 180 min match and only half time after tonight.Dont concede at home is the most important but id rather take a 1 or 2 goal lead to the second leg.It does reek of negativity when Le Boss is saying its not so important to win tonight when looking at recent games against them at home we have won well.Lets not forget we are a bloody good side and id much rather be in our shoes than theirs.It was great after the Milan games when we believed we could beat the world and its sister-where did that belief go? Im sure we'll come through this tie and hope we'll be confident in the next against Chelsea when we will need to win our home game.Go on Gunners-prove the sceptics wrong.

Nikhil

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 01:00 PM - Reply

We must be defensive tonight and not attacking coz Since we are playing at home then it will be a big pressure on the lads. See even if the result is 0-0 tonight and at Anfield if the score is 1-1 then we will win. We win because of away goals. After the 0-0 draw against Milan, Milan had pressure because if we scored then they would have to score 2 goals which is why we saw Milan more defensive than attacking. When you play at home you should be defensive. Milan has one of the world's best defence and to penetrate it is a quite a big thing.

timao

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 11:59 AM - Reply

People said we'd blown it by failing to win the group, but we hadn't. Then we'd blown it by failing to score at home with Milan. We hadn't. In fact a nil-nil might suit if it means Liverpool come on to us at Anfield. Or maybe that's what we want them to think. Whatever, nothing gets decided until the 180th minute!

Gooner

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 11:50 AM - Reply

I understand what Mr Wenger is trying to do, in Motivating the team for the away game which under any circumstance can be intimidating. However dont forget the Emirates crowd. Tooth n nail id put our 60000 up againt their barbaric 40000 anyday. It really dissappoints me when Mr wenger's words have a bit of negativiy to it, it makes me wonder what the players are thinking with regard to their confidence. It is a time when our gunners need to be shown the strong belief that everybody has in them. We play the best football in europe lets start proving it and win ALL our games!!

james

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 at 11:27 AM - Reply

we have to win the game if we want to move forwad on another stage,

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