Coach Arsene Wenger has stated that the Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers match in the Premier League had much more importance than the Arsenal vs Barcelona match in the Champions League.
Arsenal currently sit in second place with 50 points; 4 points behind table leaders Manchester United. The Gunners still have a pretty good chance of winning their first Premier League title since the departure of legend Thierry Henry, and Arsene Wenger has refused to give the Champions League competition a higher priority than the EPL.
Arsenal were defeated 6-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals last season by Barcelona, but Wenger believes that a victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers would be vital ahead of his clash against the Catalans. Although the manager is not prepared to put his entire mind on his mid-week match, he feels that the result will be less frustrating than the last time around, and that his side will manage to show great strength, and less respect.
"I can't deny we showed them too much respect last season,” Wenger declared. “Especially in the first half of the first game.
“Also, I can't deny that it is a disadvantage for them to play us as well. Barcelona are maybe better this season than last season, but so are we.”
He went on to say: “The best way to be in a good position to beat Barca is to beat Wolverhampton. That game is—in my opinion—more important by far.
“We started in August to fight for every single ball to be in a position to fight for the Premier League, and now’s the time of truth. We are in a strong position, and it would be absolutely stupid now not to prioritise the Premier League."
Arsenal were defeated 6-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals last season by Barcelona, but Wenger believes that a victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers would be vital ahead of his clash against the Catalans. Although the manager is not prepared to put his entire mind on his mid-week match, he feels that the result will be less frustrating than the last time around, and that his side will manage to show great strength, and less respect.
"I can't deny we showed them too much respect last season,” Wenger declared. “Especially in the first half of the first game.
“Also, I can't deny that it is a disadvantage for them to play us as well. Barcelona are maybe better this season than last season, but so are we.”
He went on to say: “The best way to be in a good position to beat Barca is to beat Wolverhampton. That game is—in my opinion—more important by far.
“We started in August to fight for every single ball to be in a position to fight for the Premier League, and now’s the time of truth. We are in a strong position, and it would be absolutely stupid now not to prioritise the Premier League."
