Wenger can forget his troubles on continent

ARSENE WENGER is looking forward to another Champions League outing in Marseille after admitting his side play with more freedom in Europe.

Wenger’s Arsenal have endured a troubled start to their Premier League campaign, with four defeats already after eight matches — including an 8-2 hammering at the hands of Manchester United and painful derby defeat to Tottenham.

They have fared better in the Champions League though, winning both legs of a tough play-off against Udinese, beating Olympiacos and drawing at Borussia Dortmund.

Group F leaders Marseille are next up at the Stade Velodrome tonight but, after edging another nervy league encounter with Sunderland 2-1 on Sunday, Wenger is relaxed about returning to continental competition.

“We play with a bit more freedom away from home in Europe and there is a bit less pressure,” he said.

“But in Udinese we also played with massive pressure because that was the game of the season for us. Not to win that game would have been a disaster.

“You can see since then that it was a good game [to win] because Udinese are top of the League in Italy and at the time I could feel they were a very good side.”

Despite feeling more at ease in Europe, Wenger brushed aside

suggestions that he would transfer his focus from domestic matters this season.

Instead he believes it is impossible to separate the two, as consistent league form is the simplest route to Europe.

“We will not give up on the league because it represents our future and the qualification for the Champions League [next season],” he said. “A season without the Champions League would be a catastrophe for us.

“Of course I’m worried because a club like Arsenal strives to play at the highest standard possible and now we have stronger competition than before with Manchester City. That makes it even more difficult to finish in the top four.

“But I would like to remind you that this is the 14th time in a row that we have qualified for the Champions League and the only other clubs who have done that are Real Madrid and Manchester United. That shows how important it is for us.”

Wenger has only recently welcomed back defenders Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou from injury but continues to suffer shortages.

Kieran Gibbs (stomach) has joined an injury list which includes long-term absentees Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere, but there was better news from Aaron Ramsey, who is available after missing the Sunderland clash with a hamstring strain.

Before departing for France, Arsenal revealed Vermaelen had signed a new long-term deal thought to run until 2015.

With the departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the summer — not to mention continued speculation over the future of star man Robin van Persie — Vermaelen’s commitment to the Gunners comes as a major boost.

“I’m delighted,” said Wenger. “It is good news for us.’’

Wenger seemed to rule out another move for Bolton’s Gary Cahill in January when he added: “It closes the speculation about the centre-back position. We have five centre-backs now and that should be enough.’’

For his part, Marseille boss Didier Deschamps is not fooled by Arsenal’s slow start in the Premier League.

“They are a team who have lost key players but they remain competitive,” Deschamps said.

“They have attacking players who can pose a problem to any team.

“We have an advantage over them and it is simple: the two points more than them that we have gleaned.

“After Wednesday evening we will see things more clearly. If we win, we won’t be through but we will have made a great step forward.’’