Euro travails help Wenger and Arsenal find solace

Wenger’s side have endured a troubled start to their Barclays Premier League campaign, with four defeats already after eight matches – including an 8-2 reverse at the hands of Manchester United and defeat to Tottenham in the north London derby at the start of the month.

They have fared better in the Champions League, though, winning both legs of a tough play-off against Udinese, beating Olympiakos and drawing at Borussia Dortmund.

Group F leaders Marseille are next up at the Stade Velodrome tonight but, after edging another nervy league encounter with Sunderland 2-1 on Sunday, Wenger is relaxed about returning to continental competition.

“We play with a bit more freedom away from home in Europe and there is a bit less pressure,” he said.

“But in Udinese we also played with massive pressure because that was the game of the season for us. Not to win that game would have been a disaster. You can see since then that it was a good game [to win] because Udinese are top of the league in Italy and at the time I could feel they were a very good side.”

Despite feeling more at ease in Europe, Wenger brushed aside suggestions that he would transfer his focus from domestic matters this season.

Instead he believes it is impossible to separate the two, as consistent league form is the simplest route to Europe.

“We will not give up on the league because it represents our future and the qualification for the Champions League [next season],” he said. “A season without the Champions League would be a catastrophe for us.

“Of course I’m worried because a club like Arsenal strives to play at the highest standard possible and now we have stronger competition than before with Manchester City. That makes it even more difficult to finish in the top four.

“But I would like to remind you that this is the 14th time in a row that we have qualified for the Champions League and the only other clubs who have done that are Real Madrid and Manchester United. That shows how important it is for us.”

Wenger, who revealed in an interview earlier this week that “half the dressing room wanted to leave” Arsenal in the summer, has only recently welcomed defenders Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou back from injury but continues to suffer fitness problems.

Kieran Gibbs (stomach) has joined an injury list which includes long-term absentees Thomas Vermaelen, About Diaby, Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere, but there was better news from Aaron Ramsey, who is available after missing the Sunderland clash with a hamstring strain.