Wenger eyes an express delivery - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Wenger eyes an express delivery

Samir Nasri has lost his battle to be fit to face Dynamo Kiev tomorrow but Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy have both recovered for the Champions League tie.

Nasri scored twice in his first four games for Arsenal but the former Marseille midfielder has not played since hurting his ankle while training with France for this month's World Cup qualifiers.
Mikael Silvestre is still not fit to make his debut following his summer move from Manchester United but midfielder Eboue and defender Clichy have been cleared to play in Ukraine.

Both suffered knocks in the 4-0 win at Blackburn and Arsene Wenger initially feared they may miss the European clash.

Their recovery is a boost for the Gunners manager, who believes a draw from his side's opening Group G game will be a good result.
Wenger has been to the Ukraine with Arsenal three times in the past decade – twice to Kiev, once to Donetsk – and has lost on every occasion. Those defeats were played in October and November and although this game comes well before winter sets in, Wenger is taking nothing for granted.

"It is a tough place for us to go," he said. "It is maybe a little bit better for us to play earlier but I am convinced it will still be a massive challenge.

"We'll go there and try to win the game but even if we take a point then for me, I think, it will be a good start.

"Kiev knocked out Spartak Moscow 4-1. When you know Spartak Moscow and how strong the Russian League is at the moment that means it is a tough draw. I saw the first game at Spartak Moscow and Kiev were really impressive.

"Our group has four teams who are all used to playing in the Champions League – Fenerbache, Porto, Dynamo and us.

"Anyone can take points off anyone that's why for me it's very important we start well in this game."

And despite the importance of the match, Wenger insists that his side will stick with their expansive style of play tomorrow.

"You can only be successful when you express your strengths," he said. "Kiev are very strong at home and that is why we want to produce the same type of performance. It's another big game for us."

Comments

Don't Miss
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London