Leverkusen plot Highbury offensive

"We have filled up on self-confidence," beamed Michael Ballack last Sunday after Bayer 04 Leverkusen went back to the top of the 1. Bundesliga with a runaway 4-0 victory against title rivals BV Borussia Dortmund. Given that Arsenal FC hit four goals, too, at the weekend, albeit against more moderate opposition in Fulham FC, Highbury looks set fair for another classic England-Germany confrontation.

Ready to attack
Arsenal's formidable home record - they have won all eight cup ties they have played this season at Highbury - is offset by the loss of several key players, particularly in defence. As a result, Leverkusen believe the best form of defence could be attack. "We have to exploit Arsenal's defensive problems," said Klaus Toppmöller, the Leverkusen head coach. "If we sit back, it's only a matter of time before we are punished. We have to push Arsenal's defence."

Injury problems
The London club are without both their first-choice centre-backs, Tony Adams and Martin Keown, and left-back Ashley Cole, while goalkeeper David Seaman only returned for his first game since September in last week's 1-1 draw against Leverkusen. Furthermore, because right-back Oleg Luzhny is suspended, Lauren may have to switch to the left flank in order to accommodate Lee Dixon who only ever operates in the right-back position.

Wenger dwells on the positive
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, however, preferred to dwell on the positive aspects of his team, notably their mental strength, which he has always put great store by, and which he believed had become stronger with each UEFA Champions League season. "We have respect in Europe because when teams play against us they know that we are a strong team," he said. "I believe we have all the qualities that are needed. We have experience, we have the mental strength, we have the power to score goals and we can be successful.

Strength of character
"This team has unbelievable strength of character. We believe we can do it [qualify] and I think we will do it, even though we are in a very difficult group. Last year we only went out because we conceded a goal at home to Valencia in the quarter-final. That was a really big blow and I noticed that the players were really down after going out. We are winners and we want to win this competition, but if you are a cyclist and enter the Tour de France, you don't win it in the first year. You have to go in and get knowledge and belief and that is what we have built up."

Nowotny to play
Leverkusen are bolstered by the news that talismanic central defender Jens Nowotny will be fit after damaging his knee in the first game. "He has had a little bit of pain but he will grit his teeth and play," said Toppmöller. "He is suspended for the Bundesliga game on Saturday against [SC] Freiburg, so he can rest then."

'Special atmosphere'
One man who is particularly looking forward to the tie is the 36-year-old striker Ulf Kirsten, whose last-minute goal denied Arsenal a rare away victory in Europe. As it was, it was the first point they had taken on their travels in seven away games in Europe's premier club competition. "The atmosphere in English stadiums is always something special," said Kirsten, for whom this will be his first UEFA Champions League match in England.

Missing in midfield
Leverkusen came out on top in their tussle with Dortmund by dominating midfield and for this game they will be further strengthened in that area of the field by the return of Bernd Schneider. Arsenal, on the other hand, will be without two regular members of their midfield in Fredrik Ljungberg and Ray Parlour. Away from home, the English club's fans would fear for their side in such circumstances, but at Highbury they know their team take on a special force. By the looks of things, they will need it.