Source: SKY_Sports
Gunner be easy
Charlie Nicholas says Arsene Wenger will be smiling after Arsenal were awarded a "plum draw" in the Champions League.
The Gunners were placed in Group H alongside Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos of Greece and Standard Liege of Belgium in Thursday's draw.
And after overcoming Celtic in a tricky qualifying clash, Nicholas believes Arsenal have been rewarded with the perfect combination of teams in the group stage.
"Is Arsene Wenger's smile big enough?" Nicholas asked on Sky Sports News.
"It's a lovely draw for the Arsenal, there's absolutely no doubt about that.
"After coming under a little bit of pressure against Glasgow Celtic I was sitting here looking at the prime draw and this is it. There's a little bit of travelling involved to Olympiakos, but Belgium and Holland are a little hop over the water.
"It's an absolutely fantastic draw. I know they've not played AZ Alkmaar or Olympiakos before, but I don't think it gets much better than this.
"You take nothing for granted at this level, but this is one where Arsenal will be able to change their team a little bit and use their squad players.
"It's a very, very good draw for the Gunners."
Nicholas believes all of the Premier League clubs will reach the knockout stage, but feels Arsenal could have qualification secured after the first three matches.
And he says Wenger will be targeting a flying start to allow his attentions to return to their domestic campaign.
"I'm looking at all of the English teams to advance, even if it's in second, but it should be first," Nicholas continued.
"You would think Arsenal could have this wrapped up after three games and be able to cruise through the situation.
"I know it's never as easy as that, but I think Arsene Wenger will be on a mission to try and get off to a really good start and get seven points under their belts.
"That would be them through."
Meanwhile, Scottish champions Rangers were placed in Gorup G along with Spanish club Sevilla, Stuttgart of Germany and Romanian side Unirea Urziceni.
Nicholas believes the draw could have been a lot harder for Walter Smith's men and he said they have a realistic chance of reaching the last 16.
"It's a tough one for Rangers," he added.
"But I think they'll be looking at it and thinking they could have had it a lot tougher with any of the English clubs or Barcelona. Then they would have been looking at no points out of six over the two games.
"But they'll be thinking that in Glasgow they can get points against any of these teams. You've got to remember that Walter Smith is quite cute; he's been to places like PSG and won comfortably in the past.
"He's no fool and he knows exactly how to approach it. He can change his style to play one or two up front and I think Rangers have a half chance here."
