WENGER;ARSENAL IPO KWENYE HALI NZURI KULIKO MSIMU ULIOPITA

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his
side are better mentally prepared to beat
Bayern Munich than this time 12 months ago.
The Frenchman is preparing his side to face
the reigning Champions League holders in a
rematch of last season's round-of-16 tie, from
which Bayern progressed on the away goals

rule.
Arsenal had headed into that two-legged
encounter on the back of a disappointing FA
Cup defeat to Championship outfit Blackburn
Rovers, but, a year later, now sit second in the
Premier League and go into Wednesday night's
game off the back of FA Cup victory over
Liverpool.
Wenger is buoyed by his side's current form
and confident the Gunners can spring an upset
when they welcome Pep Guardiola's men to the
Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
"I think we are in a better mental shape than
one year ago," Wenger said. "We'd lost to
Blackburn in the FA Cup, which was a big
disappointment.
"This time we won against Liverpool and we're
determined to win the game (against Bayern).
Since the start of the season we know we have
to be 100 per cent. We believe we can do it
but it's down to the quality of our
performance."
Arsenal won 2-0 at the Allianz Arena last
season, having been beaten 3-1 at home, and
subsequently went on a 10-match unbeaten
run to secure fourth spot in the Premier
League.
Wenger believes the victory in Germany proves
Arsenal can compete with Bayern, but is keen
to avoid a repeat of last year's poor first-leg
display.
He added: "It (beating Bayern) gave us belief to
finish the season well. Since the start of the
season we've done well, we're in a strong
position.
"It's down to us how, from game to game, we
can show the same spirit and focus we showed
against Liverpool.
"It is of course important (not to concede at
home); every minute counts in a game of that
stature. We are of course conscious of that, we
will try to start very strong."