Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal insists they can’t afford to get off to a bad start in the UEFA Champions League this week.
The Gunners have been drawn in Group F of Europe’s elite club competition alongside Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Last season they lost their opener against Borussia Dortmund and that left them playing catch up from the start and eventually finished second in the group before being dumped out by Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco at the last-16 stage on the away goals rule.
Arsene Wenger’s side have a less trickier opening game this season as they travel to Zagreb for a clash against the current league leaders in Croatia and Monreal says concentration will be key to the club’s hopes of European glory:
“You have to be really focused in each game and the level is higher. The difference is small but we have to be really focused,” the Spanish left-back told the club’s official website.
“We want to pass through into the next stage and we know that the favourite is probably Bayern Munich so we can’t lose against Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos as well.”
“It would be really positive for us to start with three points as we will have more confidence in ourselves and it is the best way to start,” Monreal added.
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The north London outfit head into game on Wednesday night on the back of a 2-0 victory against Stoke City at the weekend thanks to goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud at the Emirates Stadium.