Wenger believes Spurs rout can help Arsenal sink Montpellier

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during training. Photo credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
8:15 AM

Arsene Wenger is hoping his Arsenal side can use the confidence earned by thrashing north London neighbours Tottenham 5-2 to help them beat Montpellier and qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

The derby day victory gave the Gunners a much-needed boost following some indifferent displays.

One of those was in their previous home European tie, when their long unbeaten run was ended after Schalke ran out deserved 2-0 winners to take command of Group B.

Victory over Montpellier tonight, coupled with defeat for Olympiakos in Germany, would send the Gunners into the last 16 with a game to spare, although top spot would then most likely be out of reach, and with it seeding for the knockout stages.

“The Schalke game, at home, puts us under pressure to deliver against Montpellier. We cannot afford to happen what happened against Schalke again,” Wenger said.

“Fortunately we had a good result on Saturday and I think that will help us going into the game.

“You could see before the Tottenham match that the dynamics, the confidence was better again. Hopefully that will be a good basis to build on because you say always ‘We are good, we are good’ but when you don’t win people say ‘Maybe you are wrong’.

“Circumstances went a bit for us on Saturday, but what is important is to win the game and to build and lift the confidence.”

Arsenal will be without forward Theo Walcott because of a shoulder injury, but Gervinho and defender Kieran Gibbs are in contention after their recent lay-offs.