Arsenal boss won’t let emotion get in the way ahead of reunion.
Arsene Wenger insists that he is feeling merciless ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 tie against the only club to have ever sacked him, Monaco, on Wednesday night.
The 65-year-old’s thoughts are focused entirely on the Gunners progressing to the quarter-finals of Europe’s prestigious competition – even with the tie to be the first time he has taken on his former French employers – over a decade after being dismissed.
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The Emirates boss assures fans that sentiment will not cloud his judgement:
“I give my best to win the game,” Wenger was quoted by the Daily Star.
“Respect for your opponents means you give your best. When I play against my brother it’s the same. That’s part of our job.
“I’m professional and I am competitive,” added the Arsenal boss.
“And as much as I respect Monaco, I am focused on doing my job well.”
The Ligue 1 outfit have a history of impressive performances against English teams – including beating Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final to reach the 2004 final – and the last four years has seen Arsenal knocked out at this stage.
Wenger and his team will certainly need to be on top-form to avoid a repeat of the last four seasons.