Arsenal vs Monaco pre game presser

Arsene Wenger in the Presser

   Arsene Wenger along with Danny Welbeck faced media ahead of their UEFA Champions League in R16 first leg clash against AS Monaco. Here's a briefing of what they had to say.

Team News
No setback from the Palace game. And No one is coming back either. But there is uncertainty about Jack Wilshere as he was left out of the training today. Akpom and Bielik were spotted in training.

On facing Monaco
Its well known that Wenger first made his mark as a manager at this French club where he controlled the reins for 7 years. Now they are back among the top clubs in Ligue 1 sitting 4th in the table after spending past few seasons in oblivion.
Arsene Wenger: "They are a disciplined team who are very strong in defence, well organised and dangerous on the break. They are a defensively well balanced team who are efficient. They won 11 points in the group stage. It will be tough."
Danny Welbeck: "Every single game means a lot and we need to try and get the best out of each match."

On 'easy draw' and chances of Progressing
Arsenal have been unlucky in the past few seasons when they faced Barca, Bayern and AC Milan in R16. They bowed out at this stage in their last 4 seasons. They did win a few but their efforts proved too little too late frustrating the team as well as the fans.
AW: "We have had 17 consecutive seasons in this competition. 'Easy' is a word you need to ban in the Champions League."
"We can be confident because we've won our games. We have the right commitment and spirit but these are hard games. We have gone out in the last four years at this stage, two times to the winner. Twice on goal difference. We have gone out, yes, but what we want, we want to stay in. In the last four years, we came out frustrated, each time. We have learned from that."
DW: "You can't be looking too much into the past about what's happened. It's about making things right."





Wenger on Keepers
There has been competition in this department with Ospina being preferred since Szczesny's dismal showing against Southampton on New Year day.
When asked on who'll start, he said is yet to decide and added "We have competition for places and that's part of our job. David Ospina is fit."

Welbeck on Attacking Options
Arsenal have a lot of attacking talents in the team which was acknowledged by Mourinho in part of his cruel 'Mind-Games' with Wenger.
The English forward replied “Yeah its working well. There’s a lot of attacking options which gives the manager a headache. Once your on the pitch, you need to do the job properly. It’s all good."

On Monaco declaring Arsenal as Favourite
In their presser, the French Club was trying to build the pressure by declaring Arsenal as Favourites to progress. But Wenger played down by saying it is 50-50. On the pressure, he responded "These are the kind of games you want to play, where there is pressure." 

Wenger on winning the Champions League Title
La Professeur has never tasted the glory in this competition. His team went close in 2006 when they lost in the Finals.
"Yes of course I want to win it. But you look around and know only one thing…Let’s do it step by step. Let’s go in with belief and humility and try and give it the best we can."

And finally he thanked Monaco for... "I’ve got a lot of respect for Monaco; they played an important role in my career as a coach.'

That's all. Next up will be possible tactics in the Match Preview.