On the face of it, Arsenal’s Champions League Group of Montpellier, Olympiacos and Schalke may not look very daunting, but the fact is that an away game at any of those grounds is going to be a difficult encounter, and Arsenal will probably have to win all three home matches to ensure that they top the group.
Arsene Wenger gave his assessment of the Gunners opponents. “We will be favourites because we have the biggest experience in this group,” Wenger said on Arsenal.com. “But we know by experience that the Champions League is the Champions League. Every team is a special occasion, it is always a cup game and you want to be serious and have a good start.
“We start in Montpellier, which is a difficult place with a lot of passion. Certainly there will be a lot of psychological investment for them in this Champions League, so for us it is important of course to be highly focused.
“Many players do not know the passionate atmosphere in the south of France and will be surprised – but we have the experience.
The trip to Montpellier obviously means a quick return to his old club for Olivier Giroud, who could find it a strange experience, but Wenger is not worried about his concentration being compromised by the occasion. “I have not spoken to Giroud about it yet.” Wenger continued. “It will certainly be a special occasion for him but what is important is that the team does well. We focus on the game and Giroud does too.”
Wenger is under no illusion about the other two teams either. ‘Schalke are always strong. They are the most popular team in the league with the biggest support, a massive support,” he said. “Historically they are a massive club. Germany is a football nation, so you have no easy games.
“Olympiacos have beaten us convincingly over there and we have underestimated them a little bit in the past.
At the Emirates they gave us a tough time. We just won last season, so we know that they are a good side. They are always at the top of the table in Greece and have a big experience in the Champions League.”
Last year Olympiacos beat a weakened Arsenal side in the last game of the Group last season, but Arsenal still won the Group. This year Montpellier replaces Marseille from the French Ligue 1, while Schalke replace Borussia Dortmund from the Bundesliga. Surely Arsenal should get the same outcome this season….
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