• Champions League

Wenger: Arsenal have toughest group

ESPN staff
September 17, 2013
Arsenal looking to Ozil and Ramsay against Marseille

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed his side have been drawn in the toughest group in this season's Champions League.

Wenger is looking to advance to the knockout stage of the competition for the 15th successive season, but believes that Marseille - their opponents on Wednesday evening - Napoli and Dortmund all have an equal chance of progressing from Group F.

"If you look at the group, I would say yes it is the hardest group because all the four teams have a chance to qualify," said the Arsenal boss.

"That means the every game is basically a very important one. On average you need ten points to qualify so that gives you the task - ten points in a group is difficult as that could be a reasonable number to get through.

"Away games will play a big part because it is difficult to predict that you will absolutely win your three home games.

"But anyway, you need points away from home and as you know, like in every competition, the start is very important for the confidence of the team and to put you in a good position so on Wednesday we start."

Wenger added: "People say that Dortmund and Napoli are our [biggest] opponents but I think that Marseille have their chances.

"A couple of years ago there was a similar group, it was Marseille and Arsenal who qualified. Nothing is played yet. They have an opportunity to qualify."

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