Wenger: I will let team do talking

Although he may be in the process of re-writing Premiership history, Arsene Wenger adopts a cautionary stance whenever Arsenal face his French countrymen in the Champions League.

This is understandable after dropping points in the past to supposedly lesser teams such as Lens and Olympique Lyonnais. But this latest Wenger vintage is surely operating on an altogether higher plane to the modest French club that tonight attempts to de-rail the unbeaten 'Double' champions.

Like a returning hero, Wenger was careful not to sound boastful - or over-confident - when facing the French media on arrival here in this picturesque town of Auxerre in Burgundy. He's happy to let his team do the talking.

Even the locals concede that the French League leaders Auxerre have little chance, but Wenger said today: "I believe that potentially they are the best team in France. They're quick, physically powerful and tenacious. They try to suck you in and hit you on the break."

But Wenger knows that if Arsenal unveil the full majesty of their game against Auxerre there can be only one outcome. Another victory, like the 4-0 success against PSV in Eindhoven last week, would virtually guarantee their progress to the second phase of the Champions League.

Arsenal's only other visit to Auxerre-during their defence of the Cup Winners Cup in 1995, produced a 1-0 victory thanks largely to a spectacular Ian Wright goal.

That win came only days after the sacking of George Graham - a sensational episode in Arsenal's history that led, eventually, to the appointment of Wenger in September 1996.

Stewart Houston, Graham's coach and caretaker-manager following his sudden departure, was the man responsible for outwitting Guy Roux, still Auxerre manager, and steering Arsenal to a semi-final showdown with Sampdoria.

"Guy Roux had been to watch Arsenal train many times so I knew he was an experienced and knowledgeable guy," recalled Houston. "He played a 4-3-3 formation at Highbury. They caused us problems in midfield, drew 1-1 and went back to France believing the tie was balanced in their favour.

"I thought we'd have to do something different in the second leg, so I played Martin Keown in midfield to mark their playmaker. I picked a team to keep a clean sheet and nick a goal. That's precisely what happened."

Houston could have stayed on the Arsenal staff when Wenger arrived but instead chose to join Queens Park Rangers as manager. He remains a great fan of Arsenal.

"They're absolutely bombing at the moment," he said. "I don't see any weakness in the team. They are playing with such confidence and working so hard for each other. There's a real work ethic about them and they seem to be enjoying it.

"To me they look a gear above everyone else, but Arsene was fortunate in inheriting a great defence and a dressing room with a winning mentality." Of the two teams that played that night only the goalkeepers - David Seaman and Fabien Cool - are likely to be in action in the 21,000 all-seat Stade Abbe Deschamps tonight.

With Patrick Vieira, playing his 50th European match tonight, revelling in his new partnership with the Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva and Thierry Henry scoring goals for fun, it's difficult to envisage anything other than a victory for record-breaking Arsenal.

Typically, Wenger assured his French hosts that Arsenal's outstanding start to the season would not be allowed to diminish their appetite for further success.

"It's important that they get praised when they deserve it, but they know it's all very fragile," he said. "Real champions always want more."

Auxerre v Arsenal,

tonight, 7.45, Live on ITV2