Toure and Gallas rift won't hurt Arsenal, says Wenger

Toure revealed yesterday that he is not friends with the Frenchman off the pitch, despite partnering him at the heart of the Gunners defence.

But ahead of tomorrow's visit of Blackburn, Wenger claimed the pair's relationship is not as bad as suggested and they are united by the club's push for silverware.

He said: "I haven't read that about Kolo and William and I am very cautious about that. To be professional, you do what it takes for your team to be successful.

"It doesn't mean that you have to go to paradise together. From what I see on a daily basis, I think they get on much better than what is in the newspapers.

"There are big examples of players in history who didn't get on very well but that doesn't mean they couldn't play very well together. You could put a Russian with an American during the cold war and they could play sport very well together but not speak to each other. It demands analysis of a situation in a fraction of time.

"Big players respect the game. They put that respect at a higher level than any other situation."

Wenger insisted the pair were in buoyant mood after the club progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals following their penalty shoot-out win over Roma.

That victory was marred by violence and, although he does not feel the final needs to be moved away from the Stadio Olimpico, Wenger was dismayed by the events that saw an Arsenal fan suffer a suspected stab wound in a clash with Roma's notorious 'Ultra' hooligans in the hours before Wednesday night's game.

It was not the first time travelling supporters have been hurt in the city, with Manchester United supporters twice targeted in the previous two seasons, and there have been calls for the showpiece match in May to be switched to another venue.

However, asked if the location should be changed, Wenger said: "No, even if I am conscious that what happened is not acceptable.

"It has, of course, to be investigated, but I believe that it is purely down to Roma's supporters. I have been to many Champions League Finals, and it is always a much more neutral and corporate atmosphere in the final.

"You have people from all over the world who want to see the European Cup Final, and I do not think that it will face the same problems."

Arsenal are one of four English sides into the quarter-finals, along with holders Manchester United, last season's runners-up Chelsea and the 2005 winners Liverpool.

Wenger, though, feels Spanish giants Barcelona - who have former Gunner Thierry Henry in their team - are the team to avoid in next week's draw.

"Barcelona had the most convincing win and have scored more goals than anyone else in Europe," he said.

"They are considered by many people, understandably, to be the favourites.

"But it is a cup game. We saw that against Roma. We did not take advantage of the chances we created in the first leg and nearly paid for it in the second tie. You have to be efficient from now on."

A bullish Wenger concluded: "No matter who we get we want to knock them out."

Arsenal can move into fourth place if they beat Blackburn tomorrow, with Aston Villa not playing Tottenham until Sunday, but a minor groin problem picked up in the Stadio Olimpico will force striker Eduardo to miss the match.

Andrey Arshavin is available after being ineligible against Roma but Mikael Silvestre is unlikely to be considered despite recovering from a calf problem.

For Blackburn, Brett Emerton and Steven Reid are long-term absentees with knee injuries.