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Lauren`s Arsenal warning (24.10.2001)
Arsenal`s Lauren has warned against complacency
Arsenal v Real Mallorca
Wednesday
Arsenal`s Lauren has warned his Highbury team-mates to guard against complacency when they meet his former club Real Mallorca in the Champions League.
Lauren joined Arsenal from Mallorca in a £6.7m move at the start of last season - and warns they are capable of springing a surprise if they are taken lightly.
Mallorca`s Champions League hopes were hit by a 4-0 home defeat against Schalke 04, which saw coach Bernd Krauss sacked just days later.
The Schalke result was a big blow, but they have already shown they are capable of recovering from it
Arsenal`s Lauren
But Lauren said: "I know they are coming here very focused on getting a big result,and that means only a draw.
"Mallorca have been through a tough time this season, but I know how dangerous they can be.
"Now they also have a new coach and look more solid again after winning his first game impressively against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
"Everybody is trying very hard, as teams often do when a new coach comes in. People have always said how sharp their strikers are, but for me the whole team is strong and well-organised.
"The Schalke result was a big blow, but they have already shown they are capable of recovering from it."
Arsenal have recalled Sol Campbell for the game as they seek a crucial victory.
Campbell - out of sorts since his controversial move from Spurs and still trying to find his best form under new boss Arsenal Wenger - was rested for the weekend draw against Blackburn Rovers.
But Wenger`s biggest decision is again whether to partner the former Tottenham star with either veteran Martin Keown or 22-year-old Matthew Upson for the Group C game.
Campbell is fighting for full match-fitness after ankle injuries at the end of last season with Spurs and a pulled hamstring last month.
Keown returned from suspension
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against Blackburn, but England left back Ashley Cole is still out with the hamstring problem that forced him to miss the Blackburn game.
Cole`s replacement Giovanni van Bronckhorst was given a torrid time by Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie.
Wenger has tough choices
The Dutchman, signed for £7m from Rangers in the summer, is much more at home in midfield where his ability to play wide would allow in-form Robert Pires more freedom alongside captain Patrick Vieira.
And Upson, despite having seemingly nailed down a central defensive role in the last six games, has played many times at left back in the reserves and in training matches.
Real Mallorca`s new coach Sergio Kresic shrugged off an injury crisis to insist his team has no excuses for Champions League failure against Arsenal.
Kresic replaced sacked Krauss and immediately inspired an upturn in the team`s fortunes as they beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in the Spanish league on Sunday.
But the Croatian coach faces a far tougher challenge at Highbury as six members of his first team squad, including his two senior goalkeepers, are out through injuries or suspension.
Kresic, however, believes his team have no right to complain about the situation, which he sees as a product of their own success.
"The team is not at its peak," said Kresic as he prepared to travel to Highbury confident of gaining at least a point.
"But now we`ve managed to reach Europe`s top competition we can`t go out and complain about the fact that we`ve got so many games to play."
Mallorca are second in the group, ahead of Arsenal who also have six points and three points behind leaders Panathinaikos.
Even a point against the Gunners, who they beat 1-0 in the home leg, would leave them well-placed to qualify for the second phase.
"Victory over Rayo at the weekend was important," said Kresic. "We`ll be much more motivated against Arsenal after that."
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