Gunners get Liverpool in draw Wenger feared

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Wenger now faces the prospect of playing Liverpool three times within a week and, even though he was keen to avoid another Premier League team, the Arsenal manager remained confident his team can progress.

He said: "We knocked AC Milan out. That was a big hurdle. We were strong enough to knock out the holders so we can do it against Liverpool.

"Their stadium is a big factor and their fans get behind the team but I think it is challenging and interesting as well. I said I would rather not have drawn an English team but this is the quarter-finals and all the teams are of a high level."

Chelsea were upbeat after being drawn against Turkish side Fenerbahce. Chief executive Peter Kenyon said the club had "real pedigree" and other teams were keen to avoid them.

Today's draw in Switzerland also pitted Manchester United - the fourth English club left in the competition - against AS Roma.

If Chelsea overcome Fenerbahce, an English team will be gauranteed a place in the final in Moscow on 21 May. In the other tie Barcelona face Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman said: "Liverpool are a great team with fantastic experience in this competition. We are playing them three times in a week and I think the tactics in every match will be watched very carefully by the managers. It will be very exciting for the fans."

This will be the first time the clubs have met in European competition and Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "All three games will be very tight. I guess we have avoided a trip to Turkey which is a bonus.

"The possibility of two English teams in the final is very much alive."

Whoever wins will face Chelsea in the semi-finals and Kenyon said: "It's good news for the supporters. The first time we could meet another English team is the semi finals. It's a good draw and it is the first time we have played Fenerbahce so there is no history between the clubs."

Asked whether Chelsea could bounce back from their Carling Cup Final defeat by Spurs, Kenyon said: "We have had disappointments all the way through the season. But now everybody is hitting fitness at the right time of year."