Wenger plays down Parkhead fear factor
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident his side can handle the hostile Parkhead atmosphere in Tuesday's Champions League play-off first-leg against Celtic. The Gunners head to Glasgow hoping to bag a positive result ahead of the re-match at the Emirates Stadium next week, with a place in the lucrative group phase of this season's competition at stake.
And although Wenger admitted that the Bhoys do pose a threat with the likes of Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney in the ranks, he insisted that he is not fearful of the vociferous noise the 60,000 home fans are expected to make.
“The atmosphere is always heated in Scotland and we expect that but it is always 11 versus 11 on the pitch and that is what matters," he said.
“We have been all over Europe to very heated places and we know by experience all that matters is how well we play.
“If we play well we can keep the atmosphere low key and that is all down to our performance.”
Celtic have avoided defeat in their last two home ties against English opposition in Europe, beating Manchester United 1-0 in 2006 before drawing 1-1 against the same side in last season's group stages.
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Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.