WENGER SURE ARSENAL ARE MAN ENOUGH TO BEAT BEST

ARSENE WENGER has taken a surprisingly bullish approach to this season’s Champions League by claiming Arsenal now have the maturity to conquer Europe. The Gunners begin their campaign tonight when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in Group A at the Parc des Princes. Arsenal have flattered to deceive in European football’s premier club competition in recent seasons — not making it past the last-16 stage since 2010. Wenger, though, believes their below-par Champions League form is about to change. The big-money summer captures of Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi have significantly strengthened Arsenal’s squad. And Wenger, who last night confirmed he has rejected three approaches from PSG, believes his club are now ready to assert themselves as a European superpower. Given he is into the final 12 months of his current deal, this could be Wenger’s last chance at landing the only major prize that has so far eluded him. ‘This is my strongest squad, certainly, and also certainly the oldest,’ said the Frenchman (below). ‘I would say it’s the most mature squad I’ve had for a long time, because they are men. They are not 19 or 20 years old. They are 24, 27, 28 — and the whole squad is quite mature. ‘It’s the first time for a long time that I’ve had a team of what you can call men ready to compete. ‘We have to show that we are good enough to beat everybody. I always believed we had a chance, even when we had young players. But I haven’t had a squad of players like this for a long time, who have experience to compete. ‘I was used to playing with my younger squads when you build a stadium because you don’t have the resources. Now I have a team with more experienced players. The squad is between 24 and 30, basically. That’s where you have a good combination of physical strength and experience. ‘But we want to keep giving chances to young players and get the mixture right.’ Had PSG owner Nasser AlKhelaifi had his way, then Wenger would be sitting in the home dugout tonight. Three times the Qatari has tried and failed to lure Wenger from north London — in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Before yesterday, Wenger had never confirmed PSG’s interest in his services. But last night the 66-year-old finally broke his silence over one of football’s worst-kept secrets, insisting his commitment to Arsenal was too big a bond to break. ‘Why didn’t I say yes to PSG? Because I love where I am,’ he said. ‘I know the owners at PSG well, but I remained loyal to Arsenal because I think it’s a club that has the qualities I love.’ Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will make his first playing return to France since losing the Euro 2016 final. Koscielny suffered a facial injury during the 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday and was a doubt. But Wenger confirmed: ‘He’s all right. He had a big knock on his face, but recovered well. ‘Is he one of the best defenders in the world? I’d like to say yes. He has taken on a new status with us. He has experience, self-confidence.’ Wenger has hinted he will field his strongest side as he looks to avoid a repeat of last season’s poor start. He added: ‘We had a bad start last year, losing to Dinamo Zagreb in the first game, then also a hiccup at home against Olympiakos. ‘What we need to do to win the group stage is get a good result here in Paris.’