Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal stars not to let complacency hand Celtic a European lifeline in Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg.
Wenger’s side have one foot in the lucrative Champions League group stages after cruising to a 2-0 victory over Celtic at Parkhead last week.
The Gunners’ impressive display in Scotland means they don’t need to win the return to go through. A draw or even a one-goal defeat would be enough to secure their place in Europe’s elite club competition.
But while Wenger is happy to be in such a strong position, he knows Celtic won’t go down without a fight and he is keen to ensure his players don’t underestimate the Glasgow club.
”The tie is not safe, we know that,” he said. ”We experienced a very physical game over there.
‘We know the job has to be finished, but we are still in a strong position.
”The result will be determined by the way we play the second leg.”
Wenger could be without captain Cesc Fabregas after the Spain midfielder suffered a hamstring injury against Portsmouth on Saturday but, although that would be a significant blow, the Arsenal manager can take heart from the way his side dominated the first leg.
While Arsenal’s goals — a deflection off William Gallas and a Gary Caldwell own goal — owed a large debt to good fortune, there was no mistaking the Premier League club’s extra class in possession.
With convincing victories against Everton and Portsmouth in the league emphasising Arsenal’s quality, it would be a major upset if Celtic overturn the deficit.
Yet Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is well aware that Celtic came from 1-0 down to Dinamo Moscow in the last round to claim a surprise 2-0 victory in the second leg.
”Celtic are still a good team and against Moscow in the third qualifying round they lost at home 1-0, but then won 2-0 away,” Vermaelen said.
”They are still in the race so we have to keep concentrating and play the same game we did in the first leg.”
Celtic warmed up for their mission impossible with a 5-2 thrashing of St Johnstone on Saturday and boss Tony Mowbray has already settled on his team for the Arsenal clash.
Mowbray, who will be without suspended Cameroon midfielder Landry N’Guemo, was heavily criticised for leaving out Australia striker McDonald and Marc-Antoine Fortune in the first leg.
But both scored in the weekend win and Mowbray admits his team have to go for broke in north London.
”The result of the first leg alters your thought patterns of how you might set up in the second leg,” he said.
”If we had been sitting here 2-0 up, then I would probably play a different team to one that is 2-0 down and having to score some goals.
”But I am pretty clear in my mind what my team will be. I understand that if we lose 2-0 again, I will be judged to have got the team wrong again but if we win 3-0 then hopefully everyone will be pretty happy.”
Fortune insisted it was only a matter of time before he broke his duck at his new club and the former Nancy forward is looking to build on that against the Gunners.
”I hoped to start last Tuesday, I hope to start every game,” Fortune said.
”Every player wants to play in the big games in the Champions League so of course I was a bit disappointed but the team comes first.
”It will be difficult because, as everyone knows, Arsenal are a tough team to play against.
”But we did it against Moscow in the previous round so we will see what happens on Wednesday.” — AFP
