Next Game

Indonesia All Stars v Arsenal

Sunday, 14 July 2013, 20:30

Friendly Match

St James' Park, Newcastle

Last Game

Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Wenger wants quick progress

Arsene Wenger is hoping that Arsenal can book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a game to spare.

Last Updated: 07/11/12 at 10:58 Post Comment

Arsene Wenger: Feels Arsenal were unfortunate not to take three points off Schal

Arsene Wenger: Feels Arsenal were unfortunate not to take three points off Schal

The Gunners allowed a two-goal lead in a meeting with Schalke on Tuesday to slip through their grasp, but a 2-2 draw in Germany keeps them on course for the knockout stage.

It is possible that victory over Montpellier on Matchday Five will see Arsenal through, and Wenger is looking for his side to secure their safe passage through Europe's premier club competition as quickly as possible.

He said: "The group is open. I believe we are of course in a position where you want to win our home game.

"If we win, we have a 50 per cent chance to be through because Schalke plays Olympiakos here. They are in a position where they have absolutely to win that game as well.

"It will of course depend on our result first against Montpellier and then we will see what happens here.

"It could go to the last game; we could, with luck, do it in the next game. Anyway, we are in a position where we must win against Montpellier."

Amazing

Wenger believes Arsenal should be two points closer to achieving their goal, with debateable decisions having gone against them against Schalke.

The French tactician was clearly irritated by referee Nicola Rizzoli's decision not to award a foul in the build-up to Klaas Jan-Huntelaar's goal and also for booking Lukas Podolski, who was frustrated at the decision to halt the game due to an injury as Arsenal pressed forward in the second half.

Asked about the first incident, he said: "Yes, (it was a foul) on (Theo) Walcott and he gave the foul against Walcott.

"I invite you to see it again. It is a foul from (Ibrahim) Afellay on Walcott, 100 per cent."

Wenger added: "I must say there was another decision that was absolutely amazing.

"It was the first time I saw that in my long experience, to stop the game when a player has rolled over on his ankle. I have never seen that when you have a goal chance."

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Bastian Schweinsteiger aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger aims to treat Wembley to footballing perfection in the Champions League final.

Pardew to remain at the helm

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will remain in charge at St James' Park after holding talks about his future with owner Mike Ashley.

LB: Toffees won't come unstuck

Leighton Baines insists the upheaval of losing manager David Moyes to Manchester United after 11 years in charge will not derail Everton.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved