Wenger - 2008 Anfield misery is behind us
Arsène Wenger won’t be looking back on last season’s Champions League Quarter-Final disappointment at Anfield when Arsenal face Liverpool on Tuesday night.
A little over 12 months ago, the Gunners travelled to Merseyside to face Liverpool in the second leg of their tie with the scores locked at 1-1.
Abou Diaby’s early strike was cancelled out by Sami Hyypia before Fernando Torres nudged the hosts ahead with 22 minutes left on the clock. But substitute Theo Walcott’s superb 60-yard run allowed Emmanuel Adebayor to slide home Arsenal’s second away goal of the tie, putting them on the brink of the Semi-Final.
However, within seconds, Ryan Babel won Liverpool a contentious penalty which Steven Gerrard converted emphatically - the Dutchman then added a late fourth.
The spot-kick decision is one that still rankles with many Arsenal fans but Wenger will not be considering that night’s events on Tuesday.
“That’s behind us and we want to focus on what’s in front of us, have a dynamic game and try to win it,” declared the manager.
“But in that Champions League tie, over the two games, we were really unlucky not to qualify.
On Tuesday night’s playing surface the manager added: “The difference between Wembley and Liverpool is at Anfield they always have a good pitch. At least you will have a guarantee that the two teams are in the position to play football.”
