Arsene Wenger tells Arsenal to replicate ‘relentless’ Chelsea display in Champions League clash with FC Basel

Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal team to replicate the “relentless” display against Chelsea when Basel visit Emirates Stadium tonight.

The Gunners produced their most impressive performance of the season in blitzing Antonio Conte’s side with a devastating first-half display that ensures confidence is high as they turn their attention to the Champions League.

And Wenger said: “The relentless team energy pleased me most from Saturday, the fact that we kept going no matter what the result was, and that we respected what we planned together. That’s a sign of maturity. Our game is about style and steel, and we combined both.

“Every time it’s a new challenge but I believe the humility is to accept that you have to start from scratch again and show another performance. It might be a different game but we have to find the resources to win the game again.”

Theo Walcott was among the scorers against Chelsea and he urged his team-mates to start strongly having lost to Olympiakos in their first home group stage game last term.

“In previous years we’ve found our first game at the Emirates quite tough but after the weekend’s result we need to make sure our energy is good again,” he said.

“It’s going to be difficult to break them down but we’ve got to make sure we keep at them and use the fantastic home support which we had at the weekend.”

Granit Xhaka is set to be drafted into midfield after Francis Coquelin was sidelined for around three weeks with a knee injury following secondary scans which allayed initial fears he could be unavailable until December. After earning a draw at Paris St Germain in their opening game, Wenger is targeting top spot in Group A.

“It’s our target but the truth is on the pitch,” he said. “We had a good game on Saturday but let’s show that we can go from good game to good game and put the effort in, in every single game. That’s what it is about.

“Last year, we made it difficult for ourselves and we have learned that in the group stage it’s not only important to qualify but, if possibly, qualify as top of the group. It gives you many more chances after.”