Champions League: Wenger looking for French stars to shine

Arsene Wenger is looking for Arsenal's French legion to replicate their international success.

He wants them to ensure that the Gunners make the 'historic step' of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

Wenger knows that an experienced backbone will be needed if Arsenal are to secure the victory they need away to Bayern Munich.

While the likes of David Seaman, Lee Dixon and Tony Adams will need to be at their most influential, so too will the French contingent of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, as well as Sylvain Wiltord.

The French may have won the European Championships and the World Cup in the past three years but they have yet to make their mark in the Champions League.

Guiding Arsenal into the lucrative knock-out stages would certainly start to fill that void and Wenger declared: "We have experience in the squad and it will help.

"Of course, they, like many players, have proved it at international level. But it is the same for both sides and that is why we will have to play with our usual belief."

In an added twist, Arsenal's French connection will come face to face with Swedish referee Anders Frisk, who officiated during their Euro 2000 final victory against Italy.

While appreciating the challenge ahead, Wenger is confident his team can take the "unique chance" of reaching the quarter-finals, while also being in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

"There is an open door, which is very important, to the last eight of the Champions League. That's why it's a huge game for us and going through would be a significant step forward," he said.

"If we make the quarter-finals, it will be a big reward for our efforts over the past three seasons."

Wenger, who revealed he would pursue his interest in Sol Campbell this summer if the Spurs captain failed to sign a new contract with his club, played down a scathing attack on the Gunners by Bayern striker Giovane Elber.

Elber, who clashed with Tony Adams when Bayern came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Highbury last December, had declared that he had "no respect for Arsenal" as they were "not a great club".

Wenger responded: "I respect every team and expect the same from our opponents. I cannot influence his words but maybe the result will change his view."

Bayern are without suspended captain Steffen Effenberg, while Willy Sagnol, Ciriaco Sforza, Alexander Zickler and Roque Santa Cruz are all injured and Paulo Sergio is a slight doubt with a hip problem.