Football UEFA Cup: Upsets are warning to Wenger's leaders

ARSENAL

ARSENE WENGER has warned his Arsenal side to beware joining the list of surprise victims as they defend their 3-0 lead in the Uefa Cup third round, second leg tie against the French League strugglers Nantes tonight.

The Highbury manager pinpointed the 4-3 aggregate defeat of Lyon by Werder Bremen on Tuesday night after the French side had taken a three- goal lead to Germany for the second leg, while Rangers went out in a penalty shoot-out after letting a 2-0 advantage against Borussia Dortmund slip away.

"It nearly happened to Juventus as well, because after winning 3-1 away they lost the second leg 2-1 at home to Olympiakos and were lucky not to go out," said Wenger. "So I don't want it happening to us because, in the circumstances, it would look like a disaster if we went out now. But I know Nantes well. They are a funny side, and if we concede an early goal we will put ourselves right back under pressure."

Wenger's choices are still limited, with the injured Dennis Bergkamp, Martin Keown, David Seaman, Ray Parlour and Matthew Upson not making the trip.

Fredrik Ljungberg returns from suspension, and Patrick Vieira - in the middle of a seven-match domestic ban - will be included provided he passes a test on his calf strain. Wenger may play safe by fielding Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu as the strike pairing with Davor Suker, one booking away from a one-match ban.

Nantes, who have not scored a goal in two league games since their first- leg defeat, start without five of the squad that played at Highbury, including the suspended defender Jean-Marc Chanelet, who was sent off for two bookable offences.