The Arsenal manager said the best way to prepare for next Wednesday's last-16 first-leg tie at the Emirates Stadium was to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, the competition that he considers the priority.
But he did address the hot topic of Barcelona, who defeated his team 6-3 on aggregate in last season's quarter-final. The Spanish club's midfielder Xavi told the Guardian that he felt Arsenal were too ready to allow them to have the ball in both legs. He worried, though, that Arsenal might have learned their lessons while he added that it was a "disadvantage for us that we played last year".
Wenger intends his fears to be realised. "I can't deny we showed them too much respect last season, especially in the first half of the first game," Wenger said. "Also, I can't deny that it's a disadvantage for them to play us as well. Barcelona are maybe better this season than last season but so are we.
"The best way to be in a good position to beat Barça is to beat Wolves. That game is, in my opinion, more important by far. We started in August to fight for every single ball to be in a position to fight for the Premier League and now is the time of truth. We are in a strong position. It would be absolutely stupid now not to prioritise the Premier League."
Wenger will keep tabs on the Manchester derby and he will be fascinated to see how United react to the end of their 29-match unbeaten league run at Wolves last Saturday. He knows from experience how hard such a blow can hit. His team stumbled after losing their 49-game unbeaten league record at Old Trafford in October 2004, a result that was triggered by a contentious United penalty.
"It's very difficult psychologically to start again," Wenger said. "For us, we lost the 50th game under special circumstances and it was even more difficult to swallow the sense of injustice. Will it affect United? We'll see. Usually, they respond well. It is a derby, so anything can happen. It is maybe a chance for Man City to come back to Man United."
Wenger was asked whether his players could handle the pressure, in light of them losing a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 at Newcastle United last Saturday. United would fail to capitalise in the late kick-off at Molineux.
"What would you say then of Man United?" Wenger replied. "When they started their game, they knew our result. If they win, they are seven points ahead. It is the same for them, even worse."
Wenger said that he was opposed to the idea of the midfielder Jack Wilshere playing in England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on 4 June and then linking up with the under-21 squad for the European Championship finals in Denmark.
"Once a player has moved up, you don't help him at all if you move him down," Wenger said. "Psychologically, you feel you go down. It's also important that you don't overload players after a long season. We have already spoken about this [with the Football Association]."
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 12 Feb 11
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