Hleb - Anything is possible

Midfielder expects European success

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 13th March 2008

hleb

Hleb: Gunners are ready

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Alexander Hleb remains confident that Arsenal have what it takes to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Gunners produced a flawless display to dispose of reigning champions Milan at the last 16 stage of the competition and will head into the quarter-finals knowing that they are more than a match for any side on the continent.

Having tasted defeat in the 2006 final at the hands of Barcelona, Hleb is adamant that the class of 2008 are now a stronger and more experienced group which has the ability to go one step further this time around.

Young team

"We have got a very good chance (in the Champions League) this year," he insisted.

"We are stronger now than when we reached the final in Paris. Even though we are quite a young team, we do have a lot of collective experience.

"With our squad, and with the manager we have leading us, we can achieve absolutely anything."

Friday's quarter-final draw could potentially hand the Gunners an all English tie against either Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea.

On the other hand, they could end up facing Roma, Fenerbahce or old foes Barcelona and their boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is prepared for any eventuality.

Organisation

"You prepare in one sense that you are on alert to know where do you travel because don't forget that you could go to Turkey as well as to England," Wenger told Arsenal TV.

"If it's England you don't need to travel too much because we always stay in the same hotels.

"If it is to Turkey, particularly with the time between the draw and the first game being very short, you have to organise that very quickly.

"Then the scouting department is on alert as well because you have to respond and react very quickly."

Wenger added: "I play a big part in the organisation and scouting. That's my department basically, but the people have worked with me for a long time.

"They know what I want and I trust them to do their job very well and respond very quickly."