Arsenal aim to erase ‘very bad moment’ with victory

Published on 24/10/2012 01:26

Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal to get the disappointment of a “very bad moment” at Norwich out of their system by taking a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase by beating Schalke tonight.

The Gunners slipped ten points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea when they went down 1-0 at Carrow Road following a lacklustre display on their return from the international break. Wenger, though, feels the visit of the 
Germans, who are second in Group B, offers the perfect opportunity for swift redemption.

“We have got over it and we will focus on our next game, that is the only way to deal with it, to put the disappointment behind us and focus on Schalke,” the 
Arsenal manager said. “As a team, we were not as efficient as we are used to. It can happen in the season. It is just of course at a very bad moment for us.

“I expect us to respond in a strong way because this team is very ambitious and wants to do very well.”

Wenger added: “We have a good opportunity, we play at home against Schalke and since we know that we won in Montpellier, our qualifying will depend on how well we do at home.”

Despite having a won both their opening two group games and defending an unbeaten run of 16 home games in the Champions League, Wenger warned their can be no complacency tomorrow against a team 
which beat Dortmund away on Saturday.

“They are a solid side with good organisation. Up front of course they have [Klaas-Jan] Huntelaar, [Jefferson] Farfan, that we know are well, [Ibrahim] Afellay and [Julian] Draxler. They are dangerous and play a lot on counter-attacks,” he said.