Wenger calls for focus on domestic challenge

(GSM) – Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called on his players to focus on their match against West Ham on Saturday to go top of the Barclays Premier League. Wenger was talking in the wake of his side’s Champions League quarter-final draw against Barcelona.

The Gunners were drawn against the holders and the favorites to land Europe’s most prestigious competition. The two clubs faced-off in the 2006 final in Paris which ended 2-1 in favor of the Catalan giants.

Wenger warned his squad players to concentrate on their domestic challenge, “We have fought since August for the championship and it is important we keep our mind on what is vital to us – that is the championship, then we can go into the Champions League with the right belief.”

With former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry now playing at the Nou Camp and current Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas set to face his boyhood club, the Barcelona tie is a mouthwatering one.

Wenger added, “If you go to the bookmakers and try to place a few pounds, you will see that we are not favourites against Barcelona.

“Of course they are a good side, but so are we. For me, we have a 50/50 game – if we turn up with our best performance we have a good chance to beat them.

“It will be an interesting, exciting game. We have to make sure we have the belief and focus right.”