Adams warns Gunners over Europe

By Chris Bevan

Wenger keen on relaxed approach

Arsenal legend Tony Adams feels Arsene Wenger has to compromise his attacking mentality if the Gunners are to win the Champions League this season.

"They murder most teams in the Premiership," said Adams ahead of the trip to Greece to play Panathinaikos.

"But when they come up against other fantastic clubs in Europe they get found out. Arsene plays too offensive.

"For me it's mathematics. He doesn't have enough defenders in the team and doesn't give opponents enough respect."

Adams, who spent 18 years at Highbury from 1984 to 2002, points at the approach that brought him European success with Arsenal in the 90s as the example Wenger should follow.

The Gunners won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1994, and were runners-up in 1995.

Arsenal are learning - and it could be their year this time Tony Adams

"We were tough to beat," Adams added.

"In 1994 we were up against the French champions Paris St Germain, and Parma and Torino who were both doing well in Serie A at the time.

"We beat those guys 1-0 with set-plays - all three of them. PSG had George Weah and David Ginola playing for them, and Parma had Gianfranco Zola and Faustino Asprilla, but they found us very difficult to break down and we turned them over.

"You have to give other teams respect. You've got to be more resilient to win the Champions League because you've got better quality opposition than you have domestically."

The Gunners, who face Panathinaikos in Group E on Wednesday, have a history of under-achieving in Europe's premier club competition.

They are yet to make the semi-finals and have a recent history of squandering leads - with costly consequences.

Does anyone agree with Tony's comments that Arsenal are too offensive in Europe? From Neal Have your say on 606

But Adams feels their past mistakes can only benefit their latest bid for success.

"Arsenal are learning - and it could be their year this time," Adams said.

"Sooner or later if you keep knocking on the door I think you're going to get success.

"I still think they're one of the best teams in it, and they will be there or thereabouts."