Wenger says Arsenal are group favourites

Editors' Picks

  • United's Ferguson bows out on a high of sorts

    United's Ferguson bows out on a high of sorts

    United's Ferguson bows out on a high of sorts

    By Sonia Oxley (Reuters) - Alex Ferguson bowed out of management on Sunday with a smile, a wave and a bucketful of goals in his 1,500th Manchester United game but without the victory he had so wanted. The 71-year-old Scot entered retirement having watched his Premier League champions draw 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the season having led 5-2 with 11 minutes to go. Before the game he had spoken of his desire to go out on a high after more than 26 years in the job but he was

  • Rain kings Barca stay on course for 100 points

    Rain kings Barca stay on course for 100 points

    Rain kings Barca stay on course for 100 points

    Barcelona celebrated lifting the La Liga trophy for a 22nd time with a 2-1 win over Valladolid on Sunday at a rain-lashed Camp Nou.

  • Barca close in on 100-point mark with Valladolid win

    Barca close in on 100-point mark with Valladolid win

    Barca close in on 100-point mark with Valladolid win

    MADRID (Reuters) - Champions Barcelona moved a step closer to matching Real Madrid's La Liga record of 100 points with a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid, that was the prelude to a title party at the Nou Camp on Sunday. Tito Vilanova's side wrapped up their fourth league crown in five years last weekend, but still have the chance to equal the mark set by Jose Mourinho's victorious side last season. A 21st-minute strike from Pedro and an own-goal from Valladolid's Marc Valiente before halftime

  • Ancelotti wants to leave Paris St Germain

    Ancelotti wants to leave Paris St Germain

    Ancelotti wants to leave Paris St Germain

    By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - Carlo Ancelotti informed Paris St Germain officials on Sunday that he wants to leave at the end of the season after leading the club to their first French league title in 19 years. "I have asked the club to leave and I am waiting for their answer because I am under contract," Ancelotti said at the Ligue 1 awards ceremony after being named coach of the season along with St Etienne's Christophe Galtier. PSG sporting director Leonardo, however, told sports daily

  • I want to leave PSG, says Madrid target Ancelotti

    I want to leave PSG, says Madrid target Ancelotti

    I want to leave PSG, says Madrid target Ancelotti

    Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Sunday that he wants to quit French champions Paris Saint-Germain to take over at Real Madrid.

  • Arsenal win Champions League race, Fergie bows out

    Arsenal win Champions League race, Fergie bows out

    Arsenal win Champions League race, Fergie bows out

    Arsenal won the race for fourth place in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at Newcastle, while Alex Ferguson's extraordinary career ended in remarkable fashion as Manchester United drew 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are favourites to win their Champions League group after being drawn with Montpellier, Schalke and Olympiakos.

Wenger's side are competing in the Champions League for the 15th successive season, while their Group B rivals have far less experience of Europe's elite club competition.

Arsenal, who open their European campaign with a trip to Champions League newcomers Montpellier on September 18, avoided the likes of Italian champions Juventus and German champions Borussia Dortmund and Wenger knows they should progress to the last 16 as long as they stay focused.

"We will be favourites because we have the biggest experience in this group," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"But every team is a special occasion, it's always a cup game and you want to be serious and have a good start.

"We start in Montpellier, which is a difficult place with a lot of passion.

"Certainly there will be a lot of psychological investment for them in this Champions League, so for us it is important of course to be highly focused.

"Schalke are always strong. They are the most popular team in the league with the biggest support. Germany is a football nation, so you have no easy games.

"Olympiakos have beaten us convincingly over there and we have underestimated them a little bit previously.

"At the Emirates they gave us a tough time. We just won last season, so we know that they are a good side."

Fantasy Football

Most Popular Stories