Ludogorets vs. Arsenal: Arsene Wenger's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Quotes

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the team will be without four key men for their clash with Ludogorets in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, the Frenchman noted that Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal will miss the match with the Bulgarian champions. 

"Some are close to returning," Wenger added, per Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror. The manager also revealed that Bellerin was being rested for this one.

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The match will be the second between the two sides in the space of a couple of weeks. Arsenal hammered Ludogorets 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the previous meeting, with Mesut Ozil netting a brilliant hat-trick on the night.

Even so, the Frenchman has warned his team against complacency in the contest.

"We must keep a good balance between vigilance and confidence," he said, via Prenderville. "That is what is at stake. We are both attacking sides so this should be an interesting match."

Wenger also spoke about the importance of approaching these clashes with a strong mentality, per the Arsenal Twitter feed:

It's a game that will likely see some players who have been on the periphery of the team come into the lineup. Olivier Giroud, alongside Wenger at the press conference, is one who could get the nod up top.

It's been a frustrating start to the season for the striker, with Alexis Sanchez thriving at the point of the attack. However, he netted two goals off the bench against Sunderland in a 4-1 win on Saturday and spoke of his issues with fitness early in the campaign.

"I wasn't fit enough to play after the Euros and had an annoying injury," said the striker. "I'm pleased to come back now."

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With Sanchez shining as a sole striker and Lucas Perez now part of the squad, too, Wenger has more options to choose from up top than he has for many years. That may mean less game time for Giroud, although the striker thinks it's positive to see many different solutions at the sharp end of the pitch:

Despite calls for full concentration ahead of the showdown with Ludogorets, it wouldn't be a big surprise if focus was to dwindle. Not only did Arsenal hammer their opponents in the last match, but there's a massive showdown with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to come on Sunday in the Premier League.

However, failing to finish top of the group in the Champions League has meant difficult draws for Arsenal in years gone by in the knockout stages. With Paris Saint-Germain also in Group A, the squad can't afford any slip-ups in Bulgaria, and Wenger will be looking for those players who are rotated into the XI to step up and take their chances.