Wenger still believes in injury-hit Arsenal
Monday, November 23, 2015
Article summary
"If we go forward in the Champions League we can be very dangerous for everybody," said Arsène Wenger, hoping victory against Dinamo could launch a Group F comeback.
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Article body
- Arsène Wenger feels a fully-fit Arsenal could be world-beaters
- "When everybody is back, I believe we have the squad to compete"
- Arsenal need to win to have any hope of finishing second in Group F
- Dinamo captain Domagoj Antolić back after thigh injury
- Zoran Mamić says Dinamo's plan is to keep it tight and make Arsenal nervous
Possible lineups
Arsenal: Čech; Bellerín, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Cazorla; Sánchez, Özil, Gibbs; Giroud.
Out: Coquelin (knee), Arteta (calf), Wilshire (calf), Walcott (calf), Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Rosický (knee), Welbeck (knee)
Doubtful: Ramsey (match fitness)
Dinamo Zagreb: Eduardo; Pinto, Sigali, Taravel, Musa; Machado, Antolić, Rog; Soudani, Fernandes; Pjaca.
Out: Pivarić (suspended), Schildenfeld (thigh)
Doubtful: none
Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
We have not been inconsistent. It's just that in the last two games we have dropped points. Before that we won five games on the trot. You can go through a spell like that in the season – it's always how you respond that makes your season.
The players like to play at the top [level] and it's important. When everybody is back, I believe we have the squad to compete in those domains. If we go forward in the Champions League we can be very dangerous for everybody.
Zoran Mamić, Dinamo coach
I think Arsenal are too good and experienced a team to feel any pressure. They still have a chance of going through to the next stage. They will do everything to win.
Our plan is to go fully on the counterattack, including the keeper! Look, we will try our best. Arsenal have great control of the play so we just have to be compact and solid in defence and try not to lose too possession cheaply. Moreover, we should try to make them nervous.
Weekend results
West Brom 1-2 Arsenal (Morrison 35, Arteta og 40; Giroud 28)
Arsenal lost for the first time in seven Premier League games. Things looked promising when Olivier Giroud headed in Mesut Özil's free-kick for his ninth goal in his last 11 outings for club and country. The Gunners might have earned a point had Santi Cazorla not sent a late spot kick over the crossbar.
Slaven Koprivnica 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb (Delić 40; Taravel 44, Henríquez 55)
Dinamo are now only two points adrift of Prva Liga leaders Rijeka, having kicked off on Friday four behind the pacesetters.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Arsenal: LDLWLW
Dinamo Zagreb: WWLLWL
Reporter's view: Michael Harrold (@UEFAcomMichaelH)
Cazorla's fluffed penalty in Saturday's defeat at West Brom sums up Arsenal's recent fortunes. Just one win in five matches has set them back and the loss of Francis Coquelin to injury brings more cause for concern. He and Mikel Arteta are the latest additions to an already long absentee list. Arsenal must now stop Dinamo salting their wounds if they are to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
Did you know?
Current coach Mamić captained the team when Dinamo were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal in the 2006/07 third qualifying round, losing 3-0 at home and 2-1 away. The match background has those details and more.