Wenger: Europe brings us freedom

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

Wenger’s side have endured a troubled start to their Barclays Premier League campaign, with four defeats already after eight matches – including a shock 8-2 reverse at the hands of Manchester United and defeat to Tottenham in the north London derby at the start of the month.

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 OM are next up at the Stade Velodrome tomorrow night 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 defenders Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou back from injury but continues to suffer fitness problems.

Kieran Gibbs (stomach) has joined an injury list which includes long-term absentees Thomas Vermaelen, About 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, the club 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 was expected. We announced it today but signed it on Saturday. It is good news for us.

“It closes the speculation about the centre-back position. We have five centre-backs now and that should be enough.

“Of course I was keen (to tie down Vermaelen). If it is done it is because I was keen to do it.”

Wenger was particularly pleased with what the new deal says about the club’s future after a difficult few months.

Having fielded questions over his two want-aways for much of the summer, he is now ready to paint a more positive picture of life at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking earlier to Arsenal Player, he said: “What is important is that in our environment it gives a different message,” said Wenger.

“When you listen to people it looks like an exodus with everybody leaving the club but we are a happy club.

“We did not have the start of the season that we wanted but the atmosphere inside the club is very solid, very united and very positive.

“We want to turn the results round and the fact that some players extend their contract at the moment is a positive sign for us.”