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Arsenal latest: another match preview

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

another match preview

Wenger not worried about repeat of Repka row

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident there will be no lingering bad blood between Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Repka in the Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague.

The team were angered by comments made by the Sparta captain on the eve of the third round first-leg encounter with the former West Ham defender vowing in a television interview to ``sort out'' the Gunners.

Repka remained true to his word by making his presence felt with several heavy challenges - until he was hit by a crunching tackle from Fabregas.

Fabregas was booked and then appeared to taunt his opponent, who subsequently limped from the pitch with a knee injury.

Repka will undergo a fitness test tomorrow and if he is given the green light to play, Wenger is confident there will be no fall-out from the incident at the Emirates Stadium.

``We only want to play football. We always focus on playing well and nothing else. I don't think Cesc wanted to injure Repka in the first leg,'' he said.

``I don't know what was happening on the field during the first leg but it looked to me like a fair tackle on both sides.''

Fabregas helped Arsenal leave the Axa Arena with a 2-0 first leg lead, firing the 73rd-minute opener with Alexander Hleb doubling the score in injury time.

Sparta provided stubborn resistance during a feisty clash and Wenger insists they will be equally motivated at the Emirates as Arsenal seek to reach the Champions League group stages for a 10th successive year.

``The first game was a difficult game and we were lacking a bit in the first half,'' he said.

``We waited until the last seconds to score a second goal. Sparta are a dominant side in the Czech championship. We have to start well in our home games.''

Wenger insists there will no be new signings made before the transfer window closes on Friday and has ruled out a move for Chelsea's converted right-back Lassana Diarra.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho will listen to offers for the unsettled Frenchman with #2million thought to be enough to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.

``There is no movement in or out. I know Diarra as a midfielder. We were interested in him before he moved to Chelsea,'' he said.

``At Le Havre he played as a midfielder and for the national team he plays as a midfielder.

``He has been transformed into a right-back at Chelsea where he is also comfortable. He can play right-back or midfield.

Wenger continued: ``At the moment the financial situation of the club has improved a lot. I'm not short of money if I need to buy someone.

``From a financial point of view the consequences of not qualifying for the Champions League are obvious.

``I consider the financial consequences of the club but what I think is the most important thing is to do well on the pitch.

``Finances are a consequence of that. We want to play a game and do the best we can.

``The target of the season is to go as far as we can, to take the maximum out of the team.

``To go into the group stages is not enough for us. It is just a first step.``

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