Last season Gunners fans were hailing Freddie Kanoute after the former Spurs and West Ham hitman helped Sevilla destroy the UEFA Cup dreams of their north London rivals.
But now Arsenal boss Wenger is worried that lightning could strike twice if he fails to put the shackles on Sevilla’s No 1 danger man when the two teams meet on Wednesday.
“We have a big test against Sevilla,” admitted Wenger. “They are one of the best four or five teams in Europe and they look as if they can beat anybody in Europe in a convincing way.”
Wenger said Sevilla had bought some impressive reinforcements during the summer, but he singled out Kanoute, who has flourished since quitting England, as their big danger.
“Their game is based on Kanoute,” he said. “They give the ball to him then join in very quickly. Then they raid down the right flank with Alvas and the central midfielders. And at the back they have Navarro. They also have a big squad.”
Wenger is desperate for his side to make amends for last season’s disappointing exit to PSV Eindhoven – and prove that they can do it without Thierry Henry.
“I miss very much not winning the Champions League,” he said. “Thierry was someone who could do something special and destroy teams but now we are hoping someone else can turn up and do it.”