New Delhi: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not underestimating the threat posed by Olympiakos in Tuesday night's Champions League match.
The Frenchman believes the Greek champions will be a tough test for his Gunners, and cited the squad's European pedigree as evidence of their strength.
"Olympiakos are a team that have to be respected," said Wenger. "They have good experience of the Champions League. They played in it for ten consecutive years so they have good inside knowledge of what it is all about."
"They are a more robust team than you would perhaps expect of a side from Greece. They have good height and a strong presence in the penalty area."
Wenger also had words of praise for newly-appointed manager Zico, who took over in Athens after being sacked by CSKA Moscow, despite leading the Russians to seven points out of nine without conceding a goal.
The Gunners boss is familiar with the Brazilian from their time in Japan, where Wenger managed J League team Nagoya Grampus Eight for 18 months from 1995 to 1996 and Zico, who ended his playing career at Kashima Antlers, coached the national side.
"I know Zico because when I was in Japan, he was there as well," said Wenger. "After that he was the manager of the Japanese national team and took them to the 2006 World Cup, and I still had strong links with the Japanese game."
Zico admitted that facing the Gunners in his first Champions League match with Olympiakos will be a trial by fire, but remained confident in the quality at his disposal.
"I have joined a club where the supporters are used not only to winning, but winning well," said Zico. "With the quality of players I have here, I'm sure we can do that.
"We know of the difficulties we face playing against Arsenal – especially in their stadium. But we'll do all we can to get a good result. We cannot be fearful, we must be brave.
"Our confidence is good and I will field the same team as in the last game (against Panionios GSS)."
Zico, who was hired the day that Olympiakos defeated AZ Alkmaar 1-0 on the opening night of the tournament, discussed his admiration for Wenger and several Arsenal players, and said he would like to build a team that can emulate the type of fluid, passing football on display at the Emirates.
"We are eleven players against eleven and we have to believe that we are their equal," said Zico. "I remember Arsène Wenger very well from our time in Japan. I like the way his teams play, with an offensive mentality – it is a philosophy I share.
"I think he gets the best out of the players he has, and this is the key to his success. Arsenal have many players I admire – such as Fabregas, Van Persie and Eduardo. I'm very happy that Eduardo is back from his injury – he spent three weeks recovering at my academy in Brazil.
"But of course, I hope he won't score a goal against us," Zico added.
Comments
0 comment