Arsenal build from the back

By Trevor Haylett

Arsenal FC begin another quest to win the UEFA Champions League under orders from manager Arsène Wenger to show against last season's semi-finalists Internazionale FC the defensive stability they have lacked in the recent past.

Disappointing run
Only once in the last five years have the English Premiership side reached the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition and Wenger is anxious to avoid the pitfalls which undermined them a year ago when they were widely expected to contest the latter reaches only to bow out at the second group stage at the hands of Valencia CF and AFC Ajax.

Plenty of incentive
Wenger said of their fall: "We missed something last year and I feel that was down to defensive stability." It encapsulated a sorry finale to the season with Arsenal's Premiership trophy reclaimed by Manchester United FC. That double dose of disappointment gives them plenty of incentive to get off to a good start in Group B at Highbury and end a run of no wins in their last five Champions League home fixtures.

Vieri absence
Inter, even without Christian Vieri who remained in Italy for treatment on a foot injury, will be a stern test having won both their opening Serie A games without conceding a goal. Nor will they need reminding that it was only the away-goals rule that prevented them securing a place in May's final - going out to neighbours AC Milan.

Mixed feelings
However, Inter coach Héctor Cúper believes his side's weekend performance in overcoming AC Siena 1-0 will need to be improved upon at Highbury. "I am happy with the result and with the way my players were fighting," he said. "I am not happy with the way we played. We were in trouble, especially in the last 15 minutes. I hope we see a very changed Inter in London."

'We missed something'
Meanwhile, Wenger said that Vieri's absence was something of a relief - while expressing an admiration for Inter's new signing from Bologna FC, Julio Cruz, who looks likely to partner teenager Obafemi Martins in attack as Alvaro Recoba is also missing with a foot injury. However, Wenger still prefers to concentrate on what his own team can do.

'Have to improve'
He said: "We were in front many times at home in the Champions League. We were ahead against [AS] Roma who were down to ten men, but we were not strong enough defensively and that is where we have to improve. I think we are improving but we will know more about that in the big games like the one tomorrow."

Vieira's demand
Against opponents they have never encountered before in European competition, Arsenal are happy to report a clean bill of health with no suspensions complicating their planning. But captain Patrick Vieira has demanded that they show less naivety and develop a killer instinct.

'Sit back'
"Maybe we want to play too much football but it is the way we are, we like to go forward and score goals," Vieira said. "Maybe we have to sit back more and wait for the other team and then take the one opportunity to win the game."