UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Arsenal and CSKA Moscow prepare for their Champions League Group G match in London

Record ID: 809539

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Arsenal and CSKA Moscow prepare for their Champions League Group G match in London
  • Date: 1st November 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER ARSENE WENGER SAYING "I wouldn't say that the frame of mind was wrong but we had not the urgency we would like to have in this kind of game. Was it down to the fact that we were a little bit diminished physically because it was the fourth game in ten days at that period and the travelling to Moscow and playing at five thirty you know. They looked a bit sharper than we did physically and I feel that made the difference in that game."
  • Embargoed: 16th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADLOI2LQ9SXDNAWDUVDGSJ7KHE
  • Story Text: Arsenal will have to unlock a miserly CSKA Moscow defence on Wednesday (November 1) if they are to get their Champions League campaign back on track.
    Manager Arsene Wenger believes his side lacked urgency in their 1-0 Group G defeat in Moscow two weeks ago that put CSKA top of the standings.
    "I wouldn't say that the frame of mind was wrong but we had not the urgency we would like to have in this kind of game. Was it down to the fact that we were a little bit diminished physically because it was the fourth game in ten days at that period and the travelling to Moscow and playing at five thirty you know. They looked a bit sharper than we did physically and I feel that made the difference in that game," Wenger said at a news conference on Tuesday (October 31).
    The Russians are still to concede a goal in the group and Wenger has warned his Arsenal players that they cannot afford any repeat of the poor performance when the sides meet again at the Emirates Stadium.
    "Yes of course we played against a side who defended very well. Basically they've given us the problem in Moscow they will give us tomorrow. That means they defended very well and very aggressive - very well organised and played all on breaks or on set pieces and we expect that again tomorrow," said Wenger.
    CSKA have seven points from three games, one more than last year's runners-up Arsenal who could have striker Emmanuel Adebayor back in contention after recovering from a thigh injury.
    Freddie Ljungberg is unlikely to be fit, however, having missed Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Everton because of a calf injury sustained playing for Sweden.

    GROUP G P W D L F A Pts
    CSKA Moscow 3 2 1 0 2 0 7
    Arsenal 3 2 0 1 4 2 6
    Porto 3 1 1 1 4 3 4
    Hamburg SV 3 0 0 3 2 7 0

    PLEASE NOTE ARSENAL PICTURES ALSO APPEAR ON STORY 17472/06
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