BEFORE the Gunners headed off yesterday (Tuesday) to Turkey for the first leg of their Champions League play-off, Herts Advertiser photographer Danny Loo was invited to their London Colney training ground to catch them in action.
Arsenal stars practicing their moves included Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and new signing Yaya Sanogo.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has admitted that Arsenal must play “with confidence” if they are to beat Fenerbahce tonight.
The players attracted fierce criticism from fans following a 3-1 drubbing from Aston Villa and their first home defeat on the season’s opening day in 20 years, on Saturday, August 17.
Wojciech said that it was “never easy to go to Turkey in front of a very enthusiastic crowd.”
He added: “It will be very tough but we are a confident team and if you want to play in the Champions League we should be going to Fenerbahce and getting a win.”
A shadow hangs over the game, however, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport is due to decide on August 28 whether the Turkish side can continue in the competition after being banned for match-fixing in their domestic game.
Despite that, Arsène Wenger has said his side cannot gamble on the ruling over Fenerbahce’s future in the Champions League.
He added: “What is important for us is the pride of any football club to win on the pitch. All the rest is less important.”
The game starts today, August 21, at 7.45pm at Turkey’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
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