Source: Team_Talk
Wenger: Europa woe ahead for Reds
Rafael Benitez's side have struggled in the Premier League and are in real danger of finishing outside the top four.[LNB]It has been argued that their demotion to the Europa League will enable them to focus on reviving their domestic title hopes.[LNB]But Wenger insists Liverpool's involvement in Europe's second-tier competition will only complicate matters.[LNB]"Liverpool are one big-name casualty so far but I'm not convinced by the argument that it will make them a bigger threat in the Premier League," he said.[LNB]"Playing in the Europa League does not provide an advantage because you play on Thursday night every time.[LNB]"Sometimes you play in smaller cities - which means the travelling can be even more complicated than in the Champions League."[LNB]Arsenal travel to Greece to face Olympiacos on Wednesday for their final Group H clash with Theo Walcott expected to be available after suffering from a hamstring injury.[LNB]The Gunners have already qualified for the last 16, having won four of their matches in possibly the competition's easiest group.[LNB]But some of Europe's top clubs, such as Barcelona and Inter Milan, have found their passage trickier after finding themselves on the receiving end of some shock results.[LNB]"The Champions League has thrown up a few problems for bigger sides this season," said Wenger in his programme notes.[LNB]"It's hard to assess exactly why - is it the question of motivation, or maybe one of a levelling in quality?[LNB]"Maybe the fact that all over Europe, everybody knows everybody, it's well organised and has a good scouting system, does level things a bit."[LNB]Walcott wants Arsenal to complete the group phase with an emphatic victory in Greece.[LNB]"With all the important games we have coming up, it is nice to get qualifications sorted a game early," he said.[LNB]"We still want to win that game in Greece, we want to dominate the group completely before going into the knockout round."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
