Wenger: Cautiously confident

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Wenger ready for pressure

Arsene Wenger feels the hefty weight of England’s expectations for Arsenal to progress in the UEFA Champions League, but he remains optimistic.

The Gunners travel to AC Milan for their last-16 first leg clash on Wednesday night with Chelsea the only other Premier League club left in the competition.

Yet the Blues’ woeful form of late doesn’t bode much confidence for their progression to the quarter-final stages, and Wenger is acutely aware the pressure is on for his side to succeed.

“You could say that the crisis at the moment in England is a bit like fire. It moves very quickly from one club to another,” explained the French tactician.

“It’s a fire with strong wind so you have to be a bit cautious because it can quickly come back. The wind can blow it quickly back.

“This is the important time for us. Before the week started I said that this week would be vital for us. It’s down to us to do well and hopefully we will do it.”

Ahead of the north Londoners’ trip to the San Siro, Wenger added:“If I would think we have no chance to win the game I would stay at home. I don’t like to waste my time.

“I believe what makes football interesting is that you can win everywhere. We have shown we can win everywhere and I have full confidence in this team that we can do it.

“We will try to play our game. Milan are a good side. We think we are a good side. We will attack, they certainly will as well. So it should be a good game.”