UEFA Champions League: Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin confident of qualification to knock-out round
Arsenal FC suffered a major setback to their hopes of qualification into the next round when they lost 3-1 to SC Braga in Match day 5 of the UEFA Champions League.
The win brings the Portuguese outfit level with Arsenal on 9 points. This means that Gunners, who are in 2nd place behind leaders Shaktar Donetsk, have to grab all 3 points if they want to be 100 % sure of qualification.
Shaktar, who are on top of Group H with 12 points, will play Braga at home on Wednesday night, while the north Londoners will host bottom lying FK Partizan.
Arsenal’s midfield genius Andrei Arshavin is confident of his side’s progress to the round of 16. The Russian, however admitted that he does not expect his team to top their group, as Shaktar will prove too strong for Braga and finish as Group H winners.
The former Zenit St. Petersburg player said that the players have an optimistic attitude and are concentrating on successfully finishing the job at hand.
He said, “We are not nervous at all. We know we have to win and we will do it. We have no chance of finishing first. Braga might get a draw, maximum; Shakhtar will be top. Before we played at home I said Shakhtar and Braga were good teams, especially at home, and unfortunately against us they showed that.”
The 29-year-old also mentioned that winning the Champions League required grit and determination as tough opposition lie ahead for Arsenal, if they manage to make it to the knock-out round.
He added, “Arsenal always want to win the Champions League and if you want to win it, you will meet good teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United or Chelsea. It doesn't matter when it will be, whether it's the last 16, quarter-final or semi-final.”
After the European tie against Partizan, Arshavin’s eyes are set on the tricky trip to Manchester United on Monday. Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford in an eagerly anticipated clash between the top sides in the English Premier League; a win for the Londoners will leapfrog them to 1st place in the table, above United.
Arsenal won their last league match against Fulham FC, when they beat their city rivals thanks to a brilliant brace by French midfielder Samir Nasri.
Andrey himself has also been in fine form this season; he has scored 6 goals and created 10 assists in all competitions for the Gunners.
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