After the Champions League draw was announced, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gave his reaction on his team being placed alongside Paris Saint-Germain, FC Basel and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in Group A. The Frenchman believes that the Ligue 1 champions enter the fray as favourites over his own team. According to Wenger, it is the wealth of the club which makes them a strong opponent.
"PSG are a team who has absolutely unlimited financial potential and bought really well," Wenger told a news conference. We want to challenge that, we'll see, it's a tough test for us. Our first game is PSG on 13th September. Hopefully, we can get the right result. Paris Saint-Germain is one of the favourites with big ambition. We want to qualify, if possible, and in first. We start in Paris so it will be an interesting test." he added.
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Qatar Investment Authority-owned Paris Saint-Germain fits within the elite of European football after huge investments from Qatari owners who bought PSG. At the start of 2015-16 season, Paris Saint-Germain became the professional team with the highest wage bill not only in football but sports in general. PSG squad’s average annual salary was around £5.3m per year making them the highest paying team in the world.
Despite heavy influx of cash and football stars, PSG’s elusive of the prestigious Champions League crown. To pursue the bigger dream, the club fired Laurent Blanc replacing him with new manager Unai Emery. On their pursuit of European success, Wenger added, "It was a handicap for them last year. They were in a position last year like Bayern the season before that they had won the title in January. To retain focus is difficult."
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Arsene Wenger further spoke about his team’s chances of coming to life in the Premier League season where they are yet to win a game. Arsenal lost to Liverpool at home in a tightly-contested affair and later drew away at Leicester City which keeps them at the bottom half of the table.
Wenger seemed happy and sad at the same time, since he expects his crucial players to return but only to leave for their national team duties. Yet to confirm the details, he added that Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud are preparing themselves for their first start. On senior players having missed out on start of season due to returning from international duties, he lamented the upcoming international break as it will seemingly affect their rhythm.
"Ozil's not far now, that's a decision I have to make in the next 24 hours," Wenger added. "Giroud is a fraction behind physically.
"We need a first win. The international break comes too soon. They are not ready to start with us in the Premier League because we had to rest them because of playing international games. Not everyone is up to speed completely, some are a bit behind."
