Wenger 'not afraid' ahead of Kiev match

Manager Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal's youngsters are "afraid of nobody in the world" going into their Champions League opener against Dynamo Kiev at Stadion Valeriy Lobanovskyi.

After recovering from the defeat at Fulham in the Premier League, Arsenal have picked up their form and head into their European tie full of confidence following their 4-0 victory at Blackburn, where striker Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a hat-trick.

But despite three straight wins and 11 goals scored without reply, a stern test awaits in Ukraine, where Arsenal have yet to record a victory.

And Wenger admitted he admires the tenacious style of the Bilo-Syni. He said: "We respect Dynamo Kiev because I feel mainly their strength is that they are very efficient as a team.

"They are a very had working team with good discipline, and they can score goals. In that kind of game you want to defend well.

"But we are an attacking team as well, so we are only happy when we score goals."

Arsenal have previously failed to find their form when travelling to the eastern fringes of Europe, but the French coach believes experience has prepared him for the encounter.

He said: "Usually football in this region can be a little bit destabilising because if you do not prepare mentally well you can be surprised by the level of commitment here.

"But what is important when you go into a game like that is to play at least as close as possible to your full potential. In a Champions League game you do not get away with less."

Wenger will be without summer signings Sami Nasri and Mikael Silvestre for the match, but has been boosted by the returns of Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue.

Mexican striker Carlos Vela has made the trip to Ukraine and is set to be a substitute, along with fellow youngster Jack Wilshere.

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