Wily Wenger keeps his cool

ARSENE WENGER insisted last night he is not cracking under the pressure of Arsenal’s European quest.
Wily Wenger keeps his cool

Wenger, who exploded in a fit of fury during Saturday's draw with Tottenham, will demand cool heads from his players in Villarreal.

He shrugged-off his angry row with Spurs boss Martin Jol and focused on protecting a 1-0 lead in tonight's Champions League semi-final second leg.

The Arsenal boss insists he does not feel the heat and nor will Sol Campbell, who will be thrown back into battle against the Spaniards with Philippe Senderos injured.

Campbell could not return at a more crucial moment not only because the Gunners are within touching distance of their first European Cup final, but also because it is suddenly their main route back into the competition next season.

Wenger said: "I feel quite relaxed contrary to the impression I gave on Saturday because I believe my team is up for it. I trust this team completely and what happened was nothing to do with the pressure of getting results.

Wenger said: "It is the shortest way for us to get into the Champions League and it is in our hands. But it's certainly the most difficult way because we play 90 minutes in an away game and then a final. To get into the Champions League we have to win the final."

Spurs are fourth in the Premiership and must self-destruct to let their neighbours back in. Jol knows, however, that finishing fourth will not be enough if Arsenal win the Champions League.

Wenger insisted: "I said what I said after the game. You are free to write what you write. Tottenham are free to say what they want. I am free to think what I want. We are in front of a semi-final of the Champions League and, if you want to make a press conference about what happened on Saturday, stop it straight away. If you want to talk about tomorrow's game, we can go on."

Wenger believes he is in the right frame of mind for the Villarreal game and that Campbell is too.

"Sol may be missing a game or two but can compensate with experience. It is an important game for us and for him. He is 90 minutes away from a cup final and in the background there is his desire to go to the World Cup."

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini has entered the argument which marred Saturday's north London derby by claiming Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger does not practice what he preaches.

"I think Wenger got the other side of the coin this weekend. Against us at Highbury, Wenger didn't want his players to throw the ball out when our players were injured. It's true that some teams use this system in order to stop the other team from playing, but that's not true in our case."

The Yellow Submarines lost 2-0 to Real Sociedad on Saturday with Pellegrini resting all of his starting XI with the exception of central defender Cesar Arzo.

Pellegrini said: "We will have to be wary of Henry. He is a fantastic player and we know that we need to stop him, but we will not alter our tactics because of him."

The hosts are hopeful of having former AC Milan striker Jose Mari and defender Ivan Pena back after injury.

Josico will replace the suspended Alessio Tacchinardi in the centre of Villarreal's midfield.

VILLARREAL (probable): Viera; Javi Venta, Cesar Arzo, Alvarez, Arruabarrena; Sorin, Senna, Josico, Riquelme, Jose Mari, Forlan.

ARSENAL (probable): Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Flamini; Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Reyes, Ljungberg; Henry

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

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