Don’t blow the chance to finish top of Champions League Group A, Arsene Wenger warns Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged his side not to blow the chance to finish top of their Champions League group as they prepare for battle against Bulgarian title winners Ludogorets Razgrad.
The Gunners, who trounced Ludogorets 6-0 at home two weeks ago, currently head Group A and three points in Sofia could set up a shoot-out for top spot with French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium later this month.
Failure to secure pole position has cost Arsenal dear in recent seasons and resulted in treacherous ties in the last-16 stage of the competition. Wenger is determined that his side avoid a similar fate this time around.
“It’s our prime target to win the group,” said Wenger. “Step by step, qualify first. We have played Paris Saint-Germain away, and play them at home to come. We have a good opportunity if we win tomorrow.
“It’s an advantage because you play the second game in the last-16 at home, so you know exactly what you have to achieve at home. You have the support. If it goes to extra time or penalties, you play at home. So it’s a little advantage.
“But if you can finish first, why finish second? We have paid the price many times when we’ve finished second, having to play Barcelona or Bayern Munich, so we think it’s important.”
Despite a commanding victory over Tuesday’s opponents during the previous round of European fixtures, Wenger remains wary of the their potential threat.
“They are in a position where they have to try and win the game as well, like we are,” added Wenger.
Defensive duo Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal, midfielder Santi Cazorla and forward Theo Walcott have not travelled to Bulgaria as they recover from injury, and face a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s north London derby.