Wenger: Arsenal are ready to succeed

Arsene Wenger is adamant his Arsenal side finally have the self-belief to make a Champions League breakthrough.

The Gunners face Lokomotiv Moscow in tonight’s make-or-break final group game at Highbury seeking the victory that would take them to the top of their section and in to the last 16.

Wenger knows a defeat would mean his side having to compete in the UEFA Cup, but he is hoping to have Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry fit again to lead the side.

The Frenchman said: “We have said for many years that we want to do well in the Champions League and we have not completely fulfilled our expectations in Europe.

“But the spirit in the squad is strong, we are motivated, the players are up for it and they are confident.”

Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition just once in their five previous attempts, when they were beaten in the quarter-finals by Valencia in 2000-01.

They were poised for another embarrassment only a few weeks ago after taking just one point from their three opening group fixtures and were goalless at home to Dynamo Kiev with just over a minute left.

However, Ashley Cole’s late winner, followed by the 5-1 success against Inter Milan at San Siro, galvanised their fortunes.

Topping the group would mean they avoid any other group winners in the last 16, while even a draw would be enough to finish second if Inter Milan also draw against Kiev in the other game.

“At one point, we looked as though we could be out of the competition but we made it feasible again. To win 5-1 at Inter has given a great belief to my team,” Wenger continued.

“The team will now benefit from that belief factor. For a while, that kind of belief was lower than it is now. But the boys are really up for it and we have a great belief that we will do it.”

Wenger accepts that reaching the last 16 in the Champions League is, realistically, the minimum requirement for a club of Arsenal’s stature, although either they or Inter Milan – last season’s beaten semi-finalists – could yet miss out.

“It is difficult and we would be disappointed not to get through but not necessarily embarrassed,” he added.

“If you look at a team like Inter, their squad and the money they have invested, Fabio Cannavaro cost more than the Arsenal defence put together.

“You can never predict what will happen with a disappointment. It would be a physical advantage and a mental disadvantage in the title race if we went out. But I would prefer to still be in it, so let’s do it.”

Henry’s anticipated return from the knee injury which ruled him out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Leicester would be a major boost for Arsenal, especially as Lokomotiv only need a draw to qualify.

Indeed, the Russian side have indicated that they may even attempt to counter Arsenal’s leading scorer with two markers.

“Anybody who plays against us will have a plan to stop him but that does not mean you will stop him,” warned Wenger.

“There is still a little doubt over Thierry but I am quite optimistic and I think that he will play. I never gamble on a player’s fitness but, if he does not have a setback following training, then he should start.

“We have to win the game and you will see a team that goes for it.”

Lokomotiv welcome back midfielder Marat Izmailov, who missed the 3-2 victory over Dynamo Kiev with a muscle strain but is fit and joins a strong Lokomotiv squad who have no new injury or suspension worries.

Striker Ruslan Pimenov remains sidelined with the knee problem which has kept him out of action for months.

The Russian season is currently in its winter break, but Lokomotiv warmed up for the trip to London with a 3-2 victory over Spanish outfit Malaga B.

Midfielder Dmitri Khokhlov admits he would be delighted if Lokomotiv and Dynamo made it through to the knockout stages.

“We will do our best to achieve a good result. We know how strong Arsenal are and we respect them,” he told Russian newspaper Sport Express.

“But we are not afraid of them. It would be good if Lokomotiv and Dynamo qualified for the next round. I have no doubt that Dynamo are capable of beating Inter Milan.”