Kazim eager to capitalise on Arsenal´s woes

Fenerbahce forward Colin Kazim-Richards believes Arsenal’s domestic problems have presented his own struggling side with the perfect opportunity to get their season back on track.

The Turks have not had much to cheer about this term under Luis Aragones, the veteran coach who led Spain to glory in the Euro 2008 final

They are languishing in ninth place in their league and they come to London for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with memories of their 5-2 thrashing by Arsenal in Istanbul last month still fresh in their minds.

But the Gunners too have found league success difficult to come by recently following their 4-4 draw at home to Tottenham and last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Stoke in which Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor were injured.

Kazim-Richards, the former Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United forward, knew all about that as he is an Arsenal supporter.

“I don’t think there is a good time to play Arsenal but if there is then this would be the best time,” the striker, known to the Fenerbahce faithful as Kazim Kazim, told reporters at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

“Every game is important for us, especially in the Champions League but I grew up an Arsenal supporter as a boy so it means a little bit more to me. I want to show the team I supported what I can do.”

The 22-year-old impressed for Turkey in the Euro 2008 finals having qualified through his mother and insisted he was in no hurry to leave Fenerbahce for a return to the Premier League.

“I did well in Euro 2008 and they don’t want me to go. This is a massive club that plays in the Champions League. I am happy at Fenerbahce.

“I have two more years at Fenerbahce and after that my manager and the club will have to sit down and talk but you can never say what is going to happen in football – unless you are someone like David Beckham.”

Aragones was determined on revenge for last month’s reverse. “In football there is always an opportunity to come back,” he said.

“Yes, we made mistakes in the first game but every game is different in the Champions League and we will be coming out to win.”

Arsenal will clinch qualification from Group G with a victory if Dynamo Kiev also beat Porto. Fenerbahce have just one point so far, from a goalless draw at home to Kiev.