Wednesday 1 October 2014 18:53, UK
Arsene Wenger will celebrate 18 years as Arsenal manager when his team take on Galatasaray in the Champions League at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.
The Frenchman is confident the Gunners can turn around their fortunes in Europe after losing their opening Group D fixture 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund.
Wenger said: "One thing that has not changed compared to 18 years ago, the players were very intelligent and they are still very intelligent today.
"They know what is at stake. Mathematically they know this is the game for us."
Wenger believes the Champions League is harder to win now than it was 18 years ago, although he admits it has become more predictable.
He added: “Maybe it was more open 15 years ago than it is today. The concentration of the big players in a short number of clubs is much more than it was before.
"It is much more predictable today, the outcome of the Champions League, than it was 10 years ago. It is harder to win it, but as well more exciting.
"If you make a poll tomorrow and say to people 'give me four clubs who will win the Champions League', then 80 or 90 per cent of people will say 'there are these four clubs'.
"I don't think that we are one of the four who will be favourites to win it, but football is strange - and not always predictable, so let's first qualify from the group stage and then we will see."
Wenger confirmed that injury doubt Jack Wilshere may not start but will play some part in the game against Galatasaray.
He said: "He is in the squad. Whether I start him or not I don't know yet but he is in the squad.
"I have left (Abou) Diaby out as well because he is not completely there yet.
The Arsenal boss also revealed that Theo Walcott, who has been out since January with a ruptured cruciate ligament injury, could also be back in action as early as next week.
He added: "Walcott is joining in full training I think ( he may be back) next week which is very good news."
Mikel Arteta (calf) and Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) both had to be substituted in the north London derby and Wenger admits they are both likely to be sidelined for up to a month.
"To be generous with time, four weeks. If all goes well, three. Arteta is the same, maybe a bit quicker. It will be after the international break," he said.
Watch Arsenal v Galatasaray live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm.
