Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby has warned his side they cannot switch off even for a minute against Arsenal tomorrow night even though he concedes Arsene Wenger's men may not be in the best of form.

Schalke's 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last month saw them climb to the top of Group B, a point clear of second-placed Arsenal with three games left to play.

That loss was one of three the Gunners have suffered in their last five competitive matches, while in the other two matches they scraped a late 1-0 home league win over lowly QPR before claiming a 7-5 cup victory over Reading in a clash they were 4-0 down in at one stage.

Despite that, Holtby knows Schalke cannot afford to treat their opponents lightly.

``They have not been great but they are a great team, they know how to play,'' said the Germany international.

``They have a good young team, a quality team and we are prepared.

``We have got to be focused, we have to focus on our game for 90 minutes plus added time.

``We should show them we are at home. We have 55,000 people behind us and it should be a great game.''

Wenger, meanwhile, still has faith in his team and does not believe the recent slump means they are now bad players.

``I believe I have a team of great players and at the moment they have forgotten it a little bit how good they are,'' he said.

``What is most important is that we play again with our enthusiasm, desire to create chances and enjoy our game, more than about do we concede a goal or not. That is the most important thing.''

Looking ahead to tomorrow's clash, the Frenchman added: ``Firstly Schalke is a very good team - you can see that in their league position.

``They are a very tight team but we have learned from that.

``We did not have a lot of chances against them and we have got to switch better from defence to attack.

``Obviously it is disappointing for us when we don't have a lot of chances. Lately maybe we have been a little bit flat.''

Wenger will be without a number of important players, with Aaron Ramsey the latest to join a long Arsenal injury list.

The Wales international sustained a groin injury in Saturday's defeat at Manchester United, while Theo Walcott is a doubt due to illness.

Schalke could be without Kyriakos Papadopoulos due to a head injury that meant he could not head the ball in training yesterday while fellow defender Christoph Metzelder is definitely out with a hamstring injury.

Manager Huub Stevens revealed he plans to shake up his team to keep it fresh, although denied it was as a direct response to their 3-2 defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim on Saturday.


http://espnfc.com/en/preview/355683/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

Schalke should just make someone happy dis night

Arsenal, if u like, feature Santos again today so he cud fight for more worn jerseys afta' first half play and avert his pry intention on the pitch....

ARSENAL,pls dont disappoint.go all out arsenal.

I think Arsenal will get a draw.

Arsenal shuld stop wastin their time on European Elite cup competition,they wont go home with anything.The quality of players they in de squad cant take them anywhere

eduson55: whooo lala



first to comme commeme commementi...

Mikel Obi go show them peper..i heard he will start the match

Been first to comment on a football topics mean nothing..cos most pple don't comment on it...I bet u can ever be first to comment on a discussion topic..cos I no some dogs that r always waiting for the next topic to come on and comment...so don't rejoice ok...did I cut ur joy short.o+ sorry

Pele eduson55

eduson wept

topsyking: Pele eduson55

From what I've read today, Vermaelen will start at left-back while Kolsc will pair Mert at centre back. Fortunately, Ramsey is injured, so we should have a great game. I also pray that Walcott recovers in time for the game. . . I prefer our attacking trio to be Arshavin-Podolski/Giroud-Walcott. With Arshavin providing those lovely crosses, something good must happen. COYG!

I aint saying nuffin tilL 9:30pm

eduson55: whooo lala



first to comme commeme commementi...

Mikel Obi go show them peper..i heard he will start the match

Which Mikel Obi You think say na CHELSEA VS ARSENAL?

slap1: From what I've read today, Vermaelen will start at left-back while Kolsc will pair Mert at centre back. Fortunately, Ramsey is injured, so we should have a great game. I also pray that Walcott recovers in time for the game. . . I prefer our attacking trio to be Arshavin-Podolski/Giroud-Walcott. With Arshavin providing those lovely crosses, something good must happen. COYG!

Some pple r funny sha..are u d coach..u dey assemble den as if u be their coach..keep dreaming..cuz u guys r loosing tonight

Where is mukibaiby?

HUNTELAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE D GUNNERS FAITHFUL, WILL ALWAYS KEEP D FAITH HIGH. UP GUNNERS

Arsenal fans:

HOPING AGAINST HOPE

Schalke 3:1 Arsenal

f**k d match...ASSnal go f.up again. dey lose matchs dey re suposd 2 win.I'd rada watch my america election wt ease,dan watch ds match wt tension!

eduson55: whooo lala



first to comme commeme commementi...

Mikel Obi go show them peper..i heard he will start the match

DIS GUY NA MUMU, U C MIKEL 4 ARSENAL OR 4 SHALKA. YOUR MUMU DON RIPE ABEG, TEL WU DEY NEAR U 2 STONE AM DOWN

see this guy..when last did you read football news?

mc~evans:



Which Mikel Obi You think say na CHELSEA VS ARSENAL?

Arsenal problem is Santos. Very lazy, cannot defend, cannot cross ball. On the other hand Podolski will never help in out. We need Vermaleen at left back. Then I will see where Farfan will pass this time

ambrosini593: Arsenal problem is Santos. Very lazy, cannot defend, cannot cross ball. On the other hand Podolski will never help in out. We need Vermaleen at left back. Then I will see where Farfan will pass this time

LATELY, VERMALEEN IS ALSO ON ARSENALS FLOOPPIN SCALE>>>>>>>

eduson55: whooo lala



first to comme commeme commementi...

Mikel Obi go show them peper..i heard he will start the match

. Kai dis guy stew-pid. U be carabar boi.

topsyking:
Some pple r funny sha..are u d coach..u dey assemble den as if u be their coach..keep dreaming..cuz u guys r loosing tonight

I didn't ASSEMBLE them, I only stated MY PREFERENCE, every football fan has theirs.

megxo: LATELY, VERMALEEN IS ALSO ON ARSENALS FLOOPPIN SCALE>>>>>>>

That's for the last two games or so. Every big defender has his bad days. Kompany isn't at his best right now, and Vidic scored the first own goal of the season. The ability to bounce back matters. If Verminator doesn't play at left-back, then I prefer Coquelin.

haha,,
DONT JEALOUS ME

ambrosini593: . Kai dis guy stew-pid. U be carabar boi.

eduson55: see this guy..when last did you read football news?

Chai, if I call u 'Malam' now u go vex! Na Al-jazeera news u dey read your own?

i no blame you sha..
go buy todays paper and see yourself..

mc~evans:


Chai, if I call u 'Malam' now u go vex! Na Al-jazeera news u dey read your own?

Is Arsene still Arsenal's coach?