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Champions League: Anderlecht boss Besnik Hasi wary of Arsenal threat

Manager / Head Coach, Besnik Hasi speaks to the media during the R.S.C. Anderlecht Press Conference
Image: Besnik Hasi: Not taking Arsenal lightly

Anderlecht manager Besnik Hasi has promised his side will not take Arsenal lightly despite their opponents recent indifferent run of form.

The sides meet in Group D of the Champions League on Wednesday night with Arsene Wenger’s side looking to improve after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Hull on Saturday where they had to rely on a stoppage-time Danny Welbeck equaliser to earn a share of the points.

Arsenal’s most recent Premier League win came at Aston Villa on September 20 but their last match in Europe was a 4-1 victory over Galatasaray at the Emirates Stadium at the start of the month.

Wenger has had to deal with a number of injury problems, with the untested Emiliano Martinez likely start in goal, but Hasi insists his side will still face a tough test in Brussels.

"Arsenal are playing in the Premier League every week, they are playing big games. We are playing in a smaller competition and we need these types of games to get better,” said Hasi.

"We are a very young, talented team and will get better but for us it will be a mistake if we are thinking because Arsenal are missing some players and have not been at their top level in their competition, that they will not be difficult opponents. That mistake will not happen here."

Anderlecht began their Champions League Group D campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Galatasaray but they were beaten 3-0 by Borussia Dortmund at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium to leave Hasi in cautious mood.

“Maybe the Dortmund game was a reality check because before the game everyone (in Brussels outside the club) was saying we would win the match 3-0 and we lost 3-0,” he added.

"Arsenal have dropped some points in their own championship and are less confident at the moment but we have to be realistic and focus on ourselves, to keep the ball because we will be playing against a top team in Europe.

"The Arsenal team play a very good game, they keep the ball and are very fast up front with Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez.

"They also have very good players in midfield, and are very compact. Even if they have many injuries, they will still play the same game."

Watch Anderlecht v Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7:30pm.

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