Arsenal lead assault on AZ fortress

One of the most impressive home records in European competition will come in for a stern test in Group H as AZ Alkmaar make their UEFA Champions League debut, with Arsenal FC very much the team to beat.

Impressive run
Dutch champions AZ have lost just once in 33 European home games, with Arsenal's Premier League rivals Everton FC ending their unblemished record with a 3-2 win in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup group stage. The Dutch side will have extra motivation to succeed as they have been paired with R. Standard de Liège, the champions from neighbouring Belgium, who themselves have reason to seek revenge upon Arsenal. The Gunners mauled Standard 10-0 on aggregate in the second round of the 1993/94 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, with a 7-0 home defeat against the English side still their worst result in European club competition. Arsène Wenger's outfit are the only team that are not reigning domestic champions in the section, however, with Greece's Olympiacos FC completing the lineup.

Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal chief executive
We feel confident with our ability to progress to the knockout stage. The travel times are not too demanding and that is one thing you always look at. However, we are playing three champions and you don't get to be champions for nothing. We are talking about the Greek, Dutch and Belgian Leagues so we'd be foolish to underestimate them. The ambition is to go all the way of course. The team has matured and learnt from some of the experiences of last year. But there are an awful lot of world-class, historic clubs in the draw and we should not forget that last year we got down to the last four. The aim this year is to see if we can go a step further. There is a terrific team spirit, togetherness and real resolve at the moment. If we continue to focus one game at a time we think we can achieve something this season.

Stijn Schaars, AZ captain
I'm not unhappy with the draw. This certainly offers a chance for us. Arsenal are a tough one, but that's always the case with an opponent from the first pot. There are certainly chances for us to do something against Standard and Olympiacos. Like AZ, Arsenal are a team that play real football, although they carry it out to perfection. Still, we stand a chance as they take a lot of risks and give away a lot of space, and that is something that's right up our alley.

Temuri Ketsbaia, Olympiacos coach
We had a good draw, but that doesn't mean our rivals are easy to beat or that we have easy matches ahead. At this stage of the competition every team is very strong, so we need to make a huge effort to qualify for the knockout phase. I am familiar with Alkmaar and Arsenal, as I have watched them on numerous occasions, but not Standard – they will be tough opponents as they are Belgian champions.

Sinan Bolat, Standard goalkeeper
We have a good and survivable group. Of course, you can never underestimate the standard of the Champions League so it will get tough. We certainly have to try to survive and finish in the top two. Personally, I would have preferred Barcelona. We can get results against AZ and Olympiacos. Olympiacos away will be very difficult, but we certainly have to get a point there.