Monaco chief says pressure all on Arsenal

AS Monaco FC vice president Vadim Vasilyev said the pressure is all on Arsenal as the English Premier League side hosts the French outfit in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 tie.

"We have nothing to lose," the Stade Louis II chief was quoted as saying by Xinhua Tuesday. "The pressure is on Arsenal, who have been unable to get past the last 16 in recent seasons."

Last summer, Monaco experienced winning at the home of Arsenal, beating Arsene Wenger's side 1-0 in the Emirates Cup with a goal through star striker Radamel Falcao, who has since joined Manchester United on a season-long loan.

"There is a lot of history between these two clubs. We both had Wenger coach us, Thierry Henry played for both of us. We enjoyed a good result at the Emirates last summer," said Vasilyev.

"Now, in a competitive game, we want to show that our young players have no fear. We want to show that we, with the youngsters, are capable of rising to a high level - the project here isn't dead as people claimed earlier this season."

Bouncing back from a wretched start to the season after the summer departures of Colombian duo James Rodriguez (now playing for Real Madrid) and Falcao, Monaco lost only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal, however, have failed to progress beyond the Champions League last 16 in the past four seasons.