Having topped Group A in dramatic circumstances on Tuesday night, Arsène Wenger can look forward to the Champions League last-16 draw on Monday.
But will he watch it live - and what does he make of our potential opponents? He reveals all below:
On the draw…
You look at the teams you can get, some look more prestigious, more difficult, and you would like me to say, ‘I do not want this or that’. But that will already put us in an inferior position if it happens. Yes, you can take Real Madrid as maybe a favourite to win, because they are the holders of the competition. But even against Real Madrid, we’ll have a chance to qualify and we’ll have to do the absolute maximum to achieve that. It’s another inconvenient fact for us that we haven’t qualified for the quarter-final for six years. That will be a huge challenge for my group but I’m sure we will relish that.
On not watching the draw because of training…
No. I prefer to be on the pitch rather than being nervous in front of the television!
On if he feels we are due some luck given previous draws…
I don’t know who decides the luck but I haven’t found the way to speak to this person!
On if topping the group will have positive impact in Premier League…
Yes, of course. Every positive achievement makes you stronger, as long as you keep the urgency level.
But will he watch it live - and what does he make of our potential opponents? He reveals all below:
On the draw…
You look at the teams you can get, some look more prestigious, more difficult, and you would like me to say, ‘I do not want this or that’. But that will already put us in an inferior position if it happens. Yes, you can take Real Madrid as maybe a favourite to win, because they are the holders of the competition. But even against Real Madrid, we’ll have a chance to qualify and we’ll have to do the absolute maximum to achieve that. It’s another inconvenient fact for us that we haven’t qualified for the quarter-final for six years. That will be a huge challenge for my group but I’m sure we will relish that.
On not watching the draw because of training…
No. I prefer to be on the pitch rather than being nervous in front of the television!
On if he feels we are due some luck given previous draws…
I don’t know who decides the luck but I haven’t found the way to speak to this person!
On if topping the group will have positive impact in Premier League…
Yes, of course. Every positive achievement makes you stronger, as long as you keep the urgency level.
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