Dinamo Zagreb vs Arsenal preview - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wary of Dinamo Zagreb threat

Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 by PA

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger knows the importance of making a strong start to the Champions League campaign when his side takes on an in-form Dinamo Zagreb outfit in their Group F opener on Wednesday.

Dinamo have now not lost in a formidable run of some 41 matches, and last season they became the first team to go unbeaten through a Prva Liga campaign.

However, the Croatians have never previously qualified for the knock-out stages, and have endured a 15-game winless run in the competition proper.

Speaking in Croatia ahead of the clash, Wenger said: "Croatian football produces always top level technical quality, that is their strength.

"We have to focus on our own performance and to beat them have to play at our best and without speculating on any weak link in a team that has not lost a game for 11 months."

Arsenal travelled to Zagreb without midfielder Aaron Ramsey and full-back Hector Bellerin, who are rested.

Centre-back Per Mertesacker, who was involved in a minor road traffic accident earlier this week, also stayed in London to continue his recovery from a virus.

Arsenal defeated Stoke 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to continue their Premier League recovery.

After returning from Croatia, next up is a trip to Chelsea, whose manager Jose Mourinho is under some pressure following a poor domestic start.

Wenger said: "I believe that is part of our job and I would not say much more than that.

"What is important is we focus on our game. You are quickly out in the Champions League if you do not start well.

"We know we have a vital game and it is important we focus on that."

Dinamo Zagreb manager Zoran Mamic has warned his side have no intention of giving Arsenal an easy ride at the Maksimir Stadium on Wednesday night.

"Arsenal are a top-quality team - better than us - but our aim is not to sit back and defend," Mamic said at a press conference.

"We will try to pose them problems.

"We have been playing a style of game for the whole season, so to change just for one match is not good, so it will be our desire to play the same way tomorrow.

"I expect a full stadium and great atmosphere."

Captain Domagoj Antolic is also determined the team will produce the required performance.

"We have got to play a team which for 15 years has been in the top of European football, but that does not mean we will give up," Antolic said.

"We will strive, struggle and hope for a positive result."

Mamic, though, fully accepts the challenge faced by Dinamo, who have been defeated in each of their last three European games against English opposition, and were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal in the 2006/07 third qualifying round, losing 3-0 at home.

"In the run-up to the match, I told the players we would have two video analysis sessions: one on Arsenal's strengths, which would be an hour long, and one on their weaknesses. I told them we probably wouldn't have anything to show in that meeting," he said.