Arsene Wenger has claimed that he is more motivated than ever to lead Arsenal to success in the Champions League.

Since arriving in North London in 1996, Wenger has reached the final of the competition once, when the Gunners were close to lifting the trophy in 2006 before Barcelona scored two late goals to snatch the win in Paris.

However, Wenger admits that the desperation to triumph against the continent's best sides is still there as his side prepare to meet Dinamo Zagreb in their Group F opener.

"This drive [to win the competition] is immense," he told reporters. "It has never been done at Arsenal and we were very, very, very, close.

"On the other hand, I have been long enough in the job to know you have to be realistic and know that you have to put hard work in."

Arsenal have been knocked out at the last-16 stage in the last five seasons.