Arsène Wenger admits to 'sympathy' for Chelsea's Rafael Benítez - The Guardian

Arsène Wenger has said he has every sympathy for Rafael Benítez but maintains his Arsenal team will be fully focused to increase the pressure on the Chelsea interim manager with victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chlesea have struggled for consistency at home in recent weeks, failing to win any of their three matches since the turn of the year – matches that have included defeats to Premier League strugglers QPR and to Swansea in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final.

Benítez was again given a tough time by sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd on Wednesday when his side let slip a 2-0 lead as Southampton rallied to secure a point in their battle for survival.

Should Arsenal look like emulating last season's 5-3 success at Stamford Bridge, then Benítez could well be in for another hot reception from the Shed End.

Wenger, though, insists that when they head to the dugout, all coaches have the same agenda. "I feel sympathy for every manager until the day I play against him. Then the sympathy goes and comes back after the game – not always straight after the game, sometimes it is some time later. We are all in the same position," said the manager, who has not been immune from criticism by Arsenal fans this season. "We know we are in a fragile job and that the confidence is very important but it is a job where you have to take care of your own team.

"Both teams have attacking styles. Chelsea is today a team who has many good attacking players so it should be a game with goal chances," he said.

"We will not change our style too much, so we will try to attack and try to create chances."

Wenger will be able to face Chelsea secure in the knowledge Theo Walcott's contract issue is settled after the forward signed a extension to his current deal.Laurent Koscielny will be available again to Arsenal's defence having been suspended for the midweek FA Cup third-round replay win over Swansea. "To play well at Chelsea would be good for the team to stay strong, so we must go there for the win," he said. "We did it last season, so why not again?"