Ronald Koeman will relish the challenge of frustrating Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once again, but admits his AZ Alkmaar side face a difficult task at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.
The Dutch coach has yet to lose a contest with the Gunners boss, after the Champions League Group H clash in Holland ended 1-1 following AZ's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
Indeed the former Holland defender - the scorer of the goal which won Barcelona the 1992 European Cup at Wembley - masterminded a famous result when in charge of PSV Eindhoven on his last visit to north London during March 2007, where a late goal from Alex, now at Chelsea, saw the Gunners crash out 2-1 on aggregate.
However, Koeman accepts the challenge ahead tomorrow is completely different with AZ, who are struggling to recapture the form which saw them win the Eredivisie title last season.
"It is always a nice feeling to be back at this stadium," said the 46-year-old boss, whose side are currently third in Group H with two points from three games.
"Of course, I remember one moment with PSV, when we played out a 1-1 draw, which was enough to beat Arsenal at that time.
"However, we are now a few years later.
"This game is the most difficult one of all six group games we will have to play."
Koeman knows AZ will have to cope defensively if they are to upset the Gunners.
He added: "We had a good result against Arsenal at home and have confidence, but we know where we are.
"We respect Arsenal, who have more qualities than we do, but the best team does not always win.
"We realise that Arsenal will put more pressure on us because they are at home, and what matters is how we can deal with that."
Koeman played down the significance of his personal record against Wenger.
"You also need a bit of luck, because in those results, Arsenal could have scored and then won," said Koeman, who was in charge of Ajax when the Dutch side secured two draws against the Gunners during February 2003 in the now abandoned second group stage.
"Arsenal have a team who can go far in the Champions League. They have some fantastic individual players.
"But to reach the Champions League final is not easy. There are a lot of strong teams.
"In the knockout stages, one bad day and you will be out."
Arsenal's main attacking threat is again likely to come through Robin van Persie.
Koeman - part of the Oranje side which won the 1988 European Championships, along with Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten - believes the 26-year-old striker has become one of Holland's most influential players.
"We know Robin has developed himself in a fantastic way over last few years," said Koeman.
"At the moment, he is our best Dutch player. He shows that every week with Arsenal."
Indeed the former Holland defender - the scorer of the goal which won Barcelona the 1992 European Cup at Wembley - masterminded a famous result when in charge of PSV Eindhoven on his last visit to north London during March 2007, where a late goal from Alex, now at Chelsea, saw the Gunners crash out 2-1 on aggregate.
However, Koeman accepts the challenge ahead tomorrow is completely different with AZ, who are struggling to recapture the form which saw them win the Eredivisie title last season.
"It is always a nice feeling to be back at this stadium," said the 46-year-old boss, whose side are currently third in Group H with two points from three games.
"Of course, I remember one moment with PSV, when we played out a 1-1 draw, which was enough to beat Arsenal at that time.
"However, we are now a few years later.
"This game is the most difficult one of all six group games we will have to play."
Koeman knows AZ will have to cope defensively if they are to upset the Gunners.
He added: "We had a good result against Arsenal at home and have confidence, but we know where we are.
"We respect Arsenal, who have more qualities than we do, but the best team does not always win.
"We realise that Arsenal will put more pressure on us because they are at home, and what matters is how we can deal with that."
Koeman played down the significance of his personal record against Wenger.
"You also need a bit of luck, because in those results, Arsenal could have scored and then won," said Koeman, who was in charge of Ajax when the Dutch side secured two draws against the Gunners during February 2003 in the now abandoned second group stage.
"Arsenal have a team who can go far in the Champions League. They have some fantastic individual players.
"But to reach the Champions League final is not easy. There are a lot of strong teams.
"In the knockout stages, one bad day and you will be out."
Arsenal's main attacking threat is again likely to come through Robin van Persie.
Koeman - part of the Oranje side which won the 1988 European Championships, along with Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten - believes the 26-year-old striker has become one of Holland's most influential players.
"We know Robin has developed himself in a fantastic way over last few years," said Koeman.
"At the moment, he is our best Dutch player. He shows that every week with Arsenal."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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