Martin O’Neill insists Arsenal won’t be distracted by the Champions League when they face Villa this Saturday.
Arsenal go to AC Milan for their Champions League last 16 tie in Italy after their goalless draw at the Emirates eight days ago.
The Gunners must win at the San Siro to reach the quarter-finals, but the Villa boss is confident Arsenal will still have the strength in depth to present them a huge problem.
“They’ve got the squad to cope with it, despite the
horrific injury to Eduardo,” said O’Neill. “As they well know, they get suspensions and injuries during the season and they have a squad capable of dealing with it.
“So I don’t see it as being a major problem. The truth is I’d love to say they’d take their eye off the ball, but it’s simply not there. I think they’ve been able for quite a few seasons now to focus.
“It’s not that difficult for them to shift focus from League to Champions League games. They’ve been doing it that so often it’s becoming second nature.
“The League is there. They’ve been top of that, or second all year – and I don’t see that (taking it easy
on Villa).“They are two
competitions they prize greatly. So I don’t see it.”
O’Neill is happy Villa have the confidence to excel despite losing on the last trip to London – at Fulham.
“In general our away form has been really good. It was just a bad day at Fulham. We’ve tried to stay positive.”
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