Source: Team_Talk
Wenger: Gunners face quality sides
The Gunners travel to Belgium next week for the opening Group H fixture against Standard Liege, while Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, managed by Ronald Koeman, and Greek outfit Olympiacos complete the line-up for the first phase.
Arsenal were finalists in 2006 and reached the last four last season, losing to Manchester United.
Although they had to come through qualifying with victory over Scottish side Celtic, the Emirates Stadium club will once again be expected to make an impact on the latter stages of Europe's elite club competition.
Wenger, though, will take nothing for granted.
"This group is not a free pass at all," insisted the Arsenal manager.
"We do not hide - we are favourites in this group, but we have to be realistic as well.
"We play against three teams who are champions in their country so that means they are top quality sides."
Arsenal could have Theo Walcott available again for the trip to Liege after the England forward recovered from the back problems which have sidelined him for the season so far.
However, striker Eduardo is facing a two-match European ban after he was found guilty by UEFA of "deceiving the referee" to win a penalty against Celtic.
Russia playmaker Andrey Arshavin - who was cup-tied for last season's competition following his January move from Zenit St Petersburg - is sidelined by a groin injury.
Czech winger Tomas Rosicky played during the international break, and could travel.
Nicklas Bendtner has been deployed as part of a front three to good effect this season but, given Wenger's limited attacking options, may now find himself in a preferred central role alongside Robin van Persie.
The Denmark forward, who is set to auction off his infamous pink boots, said: "I have always seen myself as a striker and it is my goal to play as a striker all the time.
"It is important for me to play and when Arsene tells me to play in a position, and I will do that.
"Last season I played a lot from the left side and this season from the right side but, like I said, I prefer to play up front."
The 21-year-old, who recently agreed a new, long-term deal with Arsenal, added: "In order to qualify as one of the world's greatest attackers, then you are judged on the number of goals you score.
"You could have all the characteristics, but if you don't score people can say 'yes, he knows all the stuff, but he has just scored 10 goals in 40 games'.
"Of course that is not a good record.
"I hope to see that I score 20-25 goals in 40 games.
"However, if I get a Premier League season where I score 10 times and have 30 assists, I think that would be okay as well."
