By James Dall Last updated: 28th August 2008
Wenger: Much travelling ahead
Arsenal director Danny Fiszman admits the club face a stern test in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, but is confident Arsene Wenger's side will progress.
The Gunners, through to the group stages after cruising past FC Twente in the third qualifying round, have been drawn against FC Porto, Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev in Group G.
Fiszman conceded that the trips to Portugal, Turkey and Ukraine will put a strain on the squad amid a congested domestic programme, but feels the Gunners have enough quality to advance to the knockout stages.
Fiszman told Sky Sports News: "One of the big issues for Arsene is the distances we have to travel. They are tough games with very difficult stadia to play in.
"I'm sure they will be very stiff competition, the results at home will be what will decide this group. But we are optimistic and confident we will get through to the knockout stages."
When asked if the club are hopeful of adding to the side before the close of the transfer window, Fiszman replied: "It is up to Arsene. If he has got the player he wants then we will buy him."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 9th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk |
| 19:45 | Basle vs Sporting |
| 19:45 | Chelsea vs CFR Cluj-Napoca |
| 19:45 | Marseille vs Atletico Madrid |
| 19:45 | PSV vs Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Panathinaikos vs Anorthosis Famagusta |
| 19:45 | Roma vs Bordeaux |
| 19:45 | Werder Bremen vs Inter Milan |
| Wednesday 10th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Celtic vs Villarreal |
| 19:45 | Dynamo Kiev vs Fenerbahce |
| 19:45 | FC Porto vs Arsenal |
| 19:45 | Juventus vs BATE |
| 19:45 | Lyon vs Bayern Munich |
| 19:45 | Man Utd vs AaB |
| 19:45 | Real Madrid vs Zenit St Petersburg |
| 19:45 | Steaua Bucuresti vs Fiorentina |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 26th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| CFR Cluj-Napoca 1 - 3 Roma | |
| Bordeaux 1 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Anorthosis Famagusta 2 - 2 Werder Bremen | |
| Inter Milan 0 - 1 Panathinaikos | |
| Shakhtar Donetsk 5 - 0 Basle | |
| Sporting 2 - 5 Barcelona | |
| Liverpool 1 - 0 Marseille | |
| Atletico Madrid 2 - 1 PSV | |
| Tuesday 25th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| AaB 2 - 1 Celtic | |
| Villarreal 0 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Fiorentina 1 - 2 Lyon | |
| Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Steaua Bucuresti | |
| Fenerbahce 1 - 2 FC Porto | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Dynamo Kiev | |
| Zenit St Petersburg 0 - 0 Juventus | |
| BATE 0 - 1 Real Madrid | |
| Wednesday 5th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Celtic 1 - 1 Man Utd | |
| AaB 2 - 2 Villarreal | |
| Lyon 2 - 0 Steaua Bucuresti | |
| Fiorentina 1 - 1 Bayern Munich | |
This week's stunning Soccer AM Soccerette was Leeds United fan Lana. Check her out here!
Check out the best and worst moments from the week's UEFA Champions League action.
Pictures from an evening where Liverpool triumph against Marseille but Chelsea are held.
Gregory Coupet has attempted to ease the increasing tension ahead of the trip to Marseille next week.
Uefa have charged Marseille over the behaviour of their fans after an object was thrown at Steven Gerrard.
Roma have been charged with 'insufficient organisation' following trouble at their match against Chelsea.
Rafa Benitez has praised Steven Gerrard for not reacting to being hit by missiles from Marseille fans.
Frank Lampard is adamant that Chelsea can get their faltering Champions League campaign back on track