Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal star Marouane Chamakh insists Gunners must forget Spurs defeat and focus on Braga
Marouane Chamakh has urged Arsenal to quickly forget the bitter disappointment of defeat against arch-rivals Tottenham by beating Braga to secure a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.[LNB]The Gunners threw away a 2-0 half-time lead during Saturday's north London derby at Emirates Stadium, where victory would have sent them top of the Premier League.[LNB]Manager Arsene Wenger lamented the inability of his young side to deliver a big performance when it mattered most as they suffered a second successive home defeat.[LNB] On the run: Marouane Chamakh in action for Arsenal against Spurs on Saturday[LNB]Chamakh - who took his tally to nine goals with a close-range effort - feels having a match so quickly is the perfect opportunity to put that disappointment behind them.[LNB]'It will help us to forget the Tottenham game and we must focus on Braga and get a victory,' the Moroccan said.[LNB]Arsenal remain top of Group H, despite losing their last European fixture away to Shakhtar Donetsk - another match in which they were well in control.[LNB]Braga were thrashed 6-0 at Emirates Stadium on Matchday 1 during September, but could put themselves right back in contention for qualification to the last 16 with victory over the Gunners.[LNB]What's going on? The north London derby proved to be painful viewing for Arsene Wenger[LNB]Chamakh knows there can be no complacency against the Champions League new boys.[LNB]'The group is tight,' he said. 'There are three teams going for top spot so we know we need to get a win over there.'[LNB]Wenger had lambasted his side for being complacent when leading against Shakhtar through Theo Walcott's early breakaway goal, and it was a trait which appeared to have resurfaced against Spurs.[LNB]The Arsenal manager will leave his squad fully aware of the need to maintain 100 per cent focus in Portugal.[LNB]'It is very important that we do not repeat the performance in Donetsk,' he said.[LNB]'We need to produce a performance that allows us to get the points to qualify, but I also want to win the game as that gives us the possibility to finish the group stages very strongly, that is our target - we are ambitious to win the group.'[LNB]Midfielder Jack Wilshere should be involved having been left on the bench against Spurs following the back problem which kept him out of England duty.[LNB]Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner was again conspicuous by his absence from the match-day squad, having publicly questioned Wenger's selection policy, but is likely to be in the group which heads off from Luton later this afternoon.[LNB]Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Almunia may also be ready for a recall, having been sidelined since the end of September with an elbow injury.[LNB] Martin Keown: Arsenal paid the price for second half defensive lapsesAs Tottenham win derby, have Arsenal really got what it takes to win title?ARSENAL FC
