Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has admitted that the side are playing to win tonight, despite only needing to avoid a heavy defeat to go through to the Champions League knockout stage.
The Gunners face Napoli in Italy tonight knowing that if they avoid a three-goal defeat, they will qualify to the knockout stages, meaning Rafael Benitez’s side will face elimination, but speaking to the club’s official website, Koscielny is adamant that they will not sit back and defend.
“After [we lost] to Dortmund at home, it was important to play to win in Dortmund,” Koscielny said. “It was very difficult to win in Germany, because last season they were in the final of the Champions League.
“It was difficult, but we showed some good character and were very strong in defence, then had the opportunity to score, which we took.
“Tonight it will be like that again” he added. “Napoli are a good team and very hard [to play against].”
“We want to finish in first place in the group, so we need to win here.”
Arsene Wenger has also revealed that he plans to attack from the start and also believes tonight will be a season defining game as it could see them gain qualification from the Champions League’s ‘Group of Death’.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
