Wenger wary of complacency

Neil Silver
Friday 16 April 2004 00:00 BST
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The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has warned his player not to take their success for granted - and pointed to tonight's opponents, Leeds United, as an example of what can happen when it all goes wrong.

Three years ago, Leeds reached the semi-finals of the Champions' League, yet this season were on the verge of administration and are fighting to avoid relegation.

Wenger insists it is a difficult task keeping his side at the highest level and wants them to enjoy it while it lasts.

"The lesson is, firstly, when you are where we are, for years now, people take it for granted," said Wenger. "People sometimes think that we stay at the top just because we are Arsenal.

"The demise of Leeds shows you how quickly it goes down. Just to fight for the championship year after year is difficult; they think it will last for 100 years but it never lasts a long time."

Ashley Cole will miss tonight's game with an ankle injury while Freddie Ljungberg is ruled out after surgery on his hand. Ray Parlour returns to the squad.

Eddie Gray, the Leeds' manager, has no fresh injury concerns over any of those players involved in the Easter Monday draw with Everton. "We'll not go there frightened," Gray said. "We'll respect them but I think Arsenal will look at the team sheet and respect us too.

"We know what a great side they are but we have got to go there in the right frame of mind."

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Shaaban, Stack, Lauren, Touré, Campbell, Keown, Clichy, Vieira, Parlour, Edu, Gilberto Silva, Pires, Wiltord, Reyes, Henry, Bergkamp, Kanu, Aliadiere.

Leeds United (from): Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Radebe, Camara, Duberry, Viduka, Pennant, Smith, Matteo, Caldwell, Olembe, Lennon, Richardson, Domi, Kilgannon, Milner, Simon Johnson, Carson.

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