Arsenal will be guaranteed a place in the Champions League quarter-finals if they win at home to Deportivo La Coruna tonight. And it says much for the trust Arsene Wenger puts in his players that he talked yesterday of when, not if, the Spanish team are beaten.
Wenger feels more confident about this Arsenal squad than any other since his arrival. He knows seeing off Deportivo and qualifying from the tournament's toughest group with a match to spare will send a stronger message of intent than ever.
The annihilation of Bayer Leverkusen two weeks ago and a 3-1 home victory over Juventus in December have strengthened Arsenal's belief that they can thrive against Europe's finest. Wenger expects nothing less than an eighth straight home win in the competition.
"I know the attitude and potential are right and that's why I am so confident," he said. "That's why I believe we will beat La Coruna. I am more confident than at any time since I came here, without losing that sharp desire to improve."
Wenger feels the clubs who progress from this group will have "a very strong feeling" they can lift the trophy. The Frenchman hopes that will crown an Arsenal treble and hardly sounded daunted by the fixture congestion which will result from Champions League and FA Cup progress.
He feels he can cope provided injuries clear up as expected and prefers to look on the bright side. When Manchester United won the treble, Alex Ferguson said his players benefited from the momentum.
"The positive part of it is that the players are always focused and you cannot release your concentration," Wenger said. "You always get the whole squad motivated. The disadvantage is physical but if you have the whole squad focused it's better to be involved. Top-level sportsmen want to be competitive and play games."
Even if they win tonight Arsenal could still finish level on 10 points with Deportivo and Juventus, but their progress would be guaranteed because of their superior record against those teams.
First they must not under-estimate Deportivo, who last week won the Spanish Cup by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and defeated United 3-2 at Old Trafford in October.
Their comprehensive 2-0 victory over Arsenal in Spain proved they are a skilful, steely side who can hold possession effectively and strike at speed.
"We have to show the kind of efficiency they did," Wenger said, "and I'm sure we will."
He will hope for a repeat of the 5-1 win here over La Coruna in the UEFA Cup two seasons ago. Thierry Henry scored twice then and returns during his domestic ban.
"Thierry needed a breather," Wenger said. "Maybe it will be the only useful side of his suspension."
Wenger meanwhile laughed off Ferguson's remarks that he should have a post-match drink with opposing managers.
"I promise you that I will offer him a bottle of scotch next time," he said.
ARSENAL (4-4-2, possible): Seaman; Dixon, Stepanovs, Campbell, Lauren; Wiltord, Grimandi, Vieira, Pires; Bergkamp, Henry.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA (4-2-3-1, possible): Molina; Scaloni, Naybet, Cesar, Romero; Mauro Silva, Sergio; Victor, Valeron, Fran; Tristan.
Guardian Service
