Wenger wary of Istanbul atmosphere

الإثنين، 20 أكتوبر 2008 - 22:38

كتب : Amro Hassan

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted that his players will have a tough task on their hands when they face Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul.

The Fenerbahce faithful are well known of giving any visitors hostile reception. However, Wenger stressed that his players won't be affected by such surroundings.

"Turks have the most passionate fans in Europe. Istanbul is a unique place and for me it is a special city. But it is very, very tough," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

“However it'll not affect the players. It could have done 20 years ago but one of the good things done by UEFA is that they protect the players and the competitions and teams know that if they do too much they will be kicked out."

Group G leaders Arsenal will have to do without their defense trio of Kolo Toure, William Gallas and Bakary Sagna who are all ruled out of the game with injuries.

On the other side, Fenerbahce coach Luis Aragones said he's not concerned about Arsenal as much as he is about his own team's performance.

"At this stage I'm only worried about my team rather than Arsenal," the Spaniard said.

Aragones stressed that the fans' support will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the game.

"We are going to play possibly the best team in the group, and that is why our fans have to build a good platform for us." Aragones added.

In the same group, second place FC Porto will be hosting Dinamo Kiev on October 22nd.

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