Wednesday 25 February 2015 11:08, UK
Dimitar Berbatov says he will use his insider knowledge to help "underdogs" Monaco cause an upset against Arsenal in the Champions League at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Berbatov knows Arsenal well from his time in the Premier League with Tottenham, Manchester United and Fulham and the veteran striker is confident that his side can beat the Gunners and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The 34-year-old, who played against Arsenal in seven north London derbies for Spurs between 2006 and 2008, as well as scoring a brace for Fulham in the 3-3 draw at the Emirates Stadium in November 2012, said: "We know it is going to be a difficult game.
We will be the underdogs, but we came for a good result, have prepared well and hopefully we can achieve it.
"We will be the underdogs, but we came for a good result, have prepared well and hopefully we can achieve it.
"I spent a couple of years here and have told my team-mates this will be a tough game.
"Being back here is great for me, playing in this stadium.
"I have had some good moments here, scored a couple of goals, and also had some bad moments.
"It is nothing new to me. I know the games, I watch them on TV, Arsenal are playing very well.
"They are a team who work a lot of passes, try to play the combinations, football the way it should be played. They play on the counter with quick players and very technical.
"Maybe this will be new for some of my team-mates, but I have explained to them that it will be difficult, so they need to do their homework, and our coach will prepare us for the game.
"Hopefully we can do what we came here to do."
Berbatov has scored seven goals for Monaco this season and feels settled in the principality.
"I don't think (that I have changed my game) otherwise it is not going to be me," Berbatov said.
"I play the way I play, you probably know I have never been the quickest player around, but always try to be quick in my mind.
"When you get a bit older, you gain more experience and you try to put it to good use, to help yourself in different ways and also the young players.
"My job is to help my team-mates and my team, with my goals, my assists and advice to the young players because in our team we have a lot and they have a great future ahead of them."
Berbatov added: "You win together and lose together as a team, if we can play as a team, not like individuals, then we have a chance."
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim is also confident that his side will rise to the challenge against Arsenal in the first leg at the Emirates.
"Clearly a number of teams were hoping to draw Monaco, but it does not mean that we have less ambition going into this game," said the Portuguese coach, whose side beat Arsenal in the pre-season Emirates Cup.
"We managed to qualify top of our group, and although we do not start this game as favourites, that should not stop us playing as we have.
"We will try to be solid and not allow Arsenal's midfield and key attacking players to unbalance us."
