Arsenal still have to prove tonight that, in Europe, there is no place like home.

The Gunners return to Highbury for the first leg of their UEFA Cup third round clash with French Cup holders Nantes, leaving behind their two failed Champions League campaigns at Wembley.

Manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that the decision to adopt Wembley as their home ground for European matches was "a mistake."

He now admits it will be a boost to his players to return to their home pitch where they have had only two Premiership defeats in the last two years. But under Wenger, they have won only four of 16 European ties in three years.

However he admits: "We should be one of the strongest teams in the UEFA Cup." And he is adamant that Nantes, although struggling in the French League, will no pushovers.

"Technically they are maybe the best team in France and after a bad start to the season have improved a great deal recently, winning against Auxerre, drawing in Marseilles and beating AS Nancy at the weekend.

"They have enough quality to embarrass us if we are not at our best but a win at Highbury without conceding a goal will be ideal for us as the second leg in France will be just one of four games in nine days early next month."