Wenger feels ‘less guilt’ as Arsenal top group

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger insisted Arsenal could still face a difficult draw in the Champions League despite topping their group.

The Gunners cruised to an impressive 4-1 victory over Basel on Tuesday, although there was one particular negative on a night of positives.

Paris St Germain’s surprise 2-2 draw with Ludogorets in Bulgaria allowed the north Londoners to finish top of the group.

It is the first time Arsenal have done so since 2010/11, and the first season in which they have gone through the group stage unbeaten since 2005/06.

Wenger will discover his side’s fate in Monday’s draw in Nyon, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund still potential opponents.

The Frenchman admitted he feels “less guilt” at having topped the group, but he is all too aware it does not guarantee safe passage in the knock-out rounds.

“I thought Ludogorets were a good side – they made a great result that helps us top the group, which was what we wanted,” he told BT Sport.

“We did the job in a convincing way, we were mobile and overall had a committed performance.

“We can still have a difficult draw, so it will still be difficult, but you go forward with less guilt when you finish first.

“You feel you’ve done the job and you know you will play the second leg at home. So we have achieved that. But the draw is not much different, certainly at the moment. Let’s see what happens in the draw.”