CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEWArsene Wenger has confessed that it is "easy" to manage Arsenal at the moment because of the quality of the squad and their mental strength. "It is easy for me though as the players have a great spirit. Its a pleasure to manage them because of the quality and the mental stature of the team" he said.
Wenger insists that, although his team are breaking domestic records for goalscoring and unbeaten runs, there is no danger of the players getting carried away with all the plaudits. "I am very lucky as I have intelligent players. They have won big things already and have received a lot of praise at a young age' he said. "They know how difficult it is to win trophies and that is why I am not scared that they could lose their heads. Its important that they get the praise that they deserve now but they know that is fragile."
He added, "Real champions want to repeat their success. That is what separates them from other human beings. Im convinced that the team are still hungry for more."
The Gunners travel to Auxerre looking for a repeat of last week's demolition in Eindhoven, a game that saw Wengers side secure their first European away win for 19 months. Auxerre are currently top of the French league but have just one point from their opening two Champions League games after a goalless draw at home to PSV and a 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund. A win for Arsenal tonight would effectively seal their place in the second group stage with maximum points from three games, although they would probably need one more point just to make sure.
Wenger took time out in the build up to the game to pay tribute to Auxerre coach Guy Roux, who has been at the French club since 1963 and transformed them from a non-league club to title winners and now Champions League contenders. "He is a man of one club. When he took over, they were a non-league club and its a small city, so to bring them up into the Champions League, he has worked magic.
"Some people feel he has a handicap as hes never proved he is adaptable, but I believe he should have managed France at some point'.
As the team prepared to fly out to France they were given a further boost with the news that in form striker Thierry Henry is willing to follow Patrick Vieira and commit his long term future to the club by signing a new contract at Highbury. Henry, who has just celebrated a £9 million contract with Nike, is aware that he could probably increase his wages by moving to another club in Europe but has no intentions of leaving the London club. "You could earn more money at another club but be on the bench or not enjoying yourself on the pitch' he said.
Wenger left Dennis Bergkamp, Martin Keown and Ray Parlour behind, Parlour and Keown have hamstring injuries and Bergkamp has been ruled out with an Achilles problem. Edu has been recalled after recovering from a groin strain and Freddie Ljungberg, who was rested against Leeds, is set for a place in the starting line up.
