Arsene Wenger is not expecting an easy ride as Arsenal aim to get past his former club Monaco and secure a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in four seasons.
Arsenal found themselves unseeded for the knockout stages having finished behind Borussia Dortmund in Group D on goal difference, and so could have again faced one of Europe's big guns, as they did when coming up against Bayern Munich, who ended their hopes in the past two campaigns.
Monaco were viewed as one of the weaker seeds, having scored only four Champions League goals this season, but still qualified as winners of Group C ahead of Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Wenger -- who guided the Principality club to the Ligue 1 title in 1988 and the semifinals of the Champions League in 1994 -- insists at this level, any thoughts of complacency can be fatal.
"Every time we are in the Champions League, it was hard-earned wins," Wenger told a news conference. "It is always a one-goal difference -- you go out for one goal, you stay in for one goal and that means you have to work very hard.
"If you look at the teams who are [left] competing, they are always a reason to think it is difficult. So let us just try to do the next game, go into that with belief and humility, to try to give everything we can."
Arsenal head into Wednesday's home leg of the European tie on the back of some impressive domestic form, reaching the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and moving up to third in the Premier League following Saturday's 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
"I heard yesterday, they [Monaco] say we have the pressure because we are favourites. For me it is a 50/50 game," Wenger said. "There is a pressure on the game, but that is what you want. Personally, I love that because there is a lot at stake and that is the type of game you want to play when you are a manager or a player."
Wenger added: "Monaco is a team who made 11 points at the group stage, scored four goals and conceded one, so that means they defend very well. That is what they will certainly try to do tomorrow and they are also very good on the break, quick in transition. So that is what we expect from them."
Wenger, who was sacked by Monaco in 1994 before moving on to Nagoya Grampus in Japan, will not allow himself any sense of nostalgia in facing his former employers for the first time in a competitive fixture.
"It was the start of my career and I didn't know how long I would be in the job or where I would be," he said. "It was my first chance to be in a big club, I was very young and you're always grateful for that.
"I am happy that Monaco are back at the top level, but I have been manager of Arsenal for 18 years and I am focused on just qualifying for the quarterfinal against a good side."
Wenger added: "It is the first time Monaco have put a lot of investment into the team again because they were in the second division. Now they are in the second phase of that process which means they respect the financial fair play more and have a strategy that is more based on youth."
Danny Welbeck, meanwhile, is confident Arsenal have the firepower to progress further in the Champions League this season.
"There are a lot of attacking options which gives the manager a good headache to have," said Welbeck, who played a part in both Arsenal goals at Palace.
"Once everyone is on the pitch we are going to give 100 percent and give the best for the team, and that is the most important thing. You need to do your job properly. Whoever comes in will obviously do the same."