Arsene Wenger was typically honest when asked about our Europa League campaign in his pre-match press briefing ahead of the CSKA Moscow game.
The Arsenal manager acknowledged the "extra pressure" we are under considering our slim hopes of making the top four and this is what he told the media:
on the Europa League…
Yes, there is some extra pressure on us to do extremely well in this competition. That’s part of being where we are. I must say we have to see it in a way that it’s an opportunity we want to take and keep the priorities right - that means focusing on how well we play together, on the quality of our game, on how we want to play football. After, the consequence will be a positive result.
on how special it’d be to win his first European trophy in England…
We don’t live in dreamland, we are in a quarter-final and we have to be very realistic and go step by step and give everything to go through in the quarter-final. Then we’ll see.
on recent attendances at the Emirates…
I’m not worried about that. I think the crowd, when something is at stake, is always there and behind us. Anyway, on top of that, what will decide the crowd’s attitude is the quality of our game.
on what he can expect from the home crowd…
I’m always concerned when our stadium is not completely full but I don't think that will be a problem tomorrow. For us tomorrow it’s about our performance and our crowd will be behind us.
on tension between the UK and Russia...
Honestly, nobody knows really what’s going on and it looks more to be diplomatic relations between England and Russia at the moment are a bit complicated. I just hope it won’t affect both ties and that it will not affect the supporters. Nor for the Russian people who come over here and not for English people who want to travel there.
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