Paul Scharner demands 'no fear'

Midfielder Paul Scharner has demanded "no fear" from Albion at Arsenal as he recalled a stunning victory in his last meeting with the Gunners.

Scharner knows Arsene Wenger's side are beatable after seeing his then Wigan team-mates recover from 2-0 down to claim an unforgettable 3-2 victory against the Londoners last season.

But the Austria international, who figured in the Latics' dramatic victory as a late substitute, reckons self-belief will be key to the Baggies' chances of pulling off a shock at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "The main thing you have to do at the Emirates is believe in your strengths and not show too much respect.

"If you lose your confidence it can be a horrible day. But we have big potential in our team, we can play proper football and stand up at the Emirates.

"It was a massive win with Wigan and it was actually our first win against Arsenal.

"We were 2-0 down at half-time and we came back in the last minute and won the game. We have to believe here that we can get three points anywhere and in any game.

"If we keep the respect for them as low as possible, then anything is possible."

Scharner was a proud spectator from the substitutes' bench as the Baggies maintained their recent momentum to claim a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 win against Manchester City.

But the 30-year-old will return to the starting line-up tomorrow believing the team can extend their three-match unbeaten run with an upset in north London.

He said: "I think we kept up our momentum on Wednesday. We have had a decent home run now with the last three games.

"Now there is a massive game coming up tomorrow. I think Wednesday was a very good result for our confidence. We came back again in the second-half and that is good.

"You could see in the last three games that we have belief in ourselves to turn around a game. If we play our game and play to our strengths, everything is possible.

"I am absolutely delighted with our form. I couldn't ask for more because since I joined the club we are unbeaten. The performances have been excellent. It is a very strong team with lots of potential and we have to keep on going now.

"From my point of view, every game is winnable."

Scharner completed his first 90 minutes in Albion colours in last weekend's 3-1 win over Birmingham.

But, despite being undefeated for the last three games, the Baggies have gone 1-0 behind in each match.

While he is delighted with the fighting spirit in the camp, Scharner is keen for Albion to find their stride early against Arsene Wenger's men.

The Austrian said: "Sometimes it happens in football that you go behind but the game is only over after 90 minutes plus injury time.

"We showed in the last three games that we are strong enough to come back and we can do that in every game.

"If we believe in our strengths we can beat any team. If we can put that attitude on the pitch from the first minute we can be really satisfied.

"If you look at the Birmingham and Tottenham games, we were missing a bit of that belief in the first 45 minutes.

"But the second 45 minutes were good both times and if we can do that over 90 minutes it will be good.

"If we perform like we have in the last three games I can't see how we will have anything to do with relegation."

Scharner's confidence was echoed today by vice-captain Jonas Olsson, who insists Albion's performance in the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool will remove any possible fear at travelling to one of the Premier League's most daunting venues.

The Baggies held their own for long spells against the Reds, although Olsson is expecting a tougher game against the Gunners.

He said: "The Emirates will be a lot tougher because they're playing well.

"One of the positives is that we went to Anfield and proved to people that we're not scared to play at venues like that so we go to Arsenal with a lot of confidence, especially after the Manchester City game.

"We were amazing in the first-half and a few players have now given the manager something to think about. That's the beauty of a big squad.

"Not only do we have good players who can come in when others are suspended or injured but we have players who force the first XI to raise their game even more."