Ludogorets may know that they aren’t favourites for their Champions League game at Arsenal but they are coming to London to attack and not just make up the numbers on the pitch.

Coming in to the game on a good run of form, the Bulgarian side have won four of their last five games and plan to use the confidence that has given them to attack Arsenal when they get the chance.

“Arsenal is a favourite, perhaps of the group, but you know that the team already has enough routine and not to worry and not afraid of such teams”, manager, Georgi Dermendzhiev said.

“Arsenal, 20 years in a row in the top four of England, every year playing in the Champions League. 

“This is a very good team, but this year they are better than previous years. 

Ludogorets' Bulgarian coach Georgi Dermendzhiev attends a press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 18, 2016, ahead of the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Ludogorets Razgrad and Arsenal on October 19. / AFP / BEN STANSALL
Ludogorets’ Bulgarian coach Georgi Dermendzhiev attends a press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 18, 2016, ahead of the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Ludogorets Razgrad and Arsenal on October 19. / AFP / BEN STANSALL

“They are doing very well in the league, very well in the Champions League, unlike the previous year.

“Of course we will defend when necessary. But we’re going to play football and we also have very good players in attack, so when we get the opportunity we will attack.

“It is a pleasure to play such important matches and we will make the most of the opportunity that we have.”

Midfielder, Svetoslav Dyakov, added, “We are honoured to play here.

“Arsenal play the best football in Europe, they have a style like Barcelona.

“The team has a lot of strengths and very dangerous players.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Svetoslav Atanasov Dyakov of PFC Ludogorets Razgrad speaks to the media during the PFC Ludogorets Razgrad press conference at the Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Svetoslav Atanasov Dyakov of PFC Ludogorets Razgrad speaks to the media during the PFC Ludogorets Razgrad press conference at the Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

“Of course, there are weaknesses, but I do not intend to comment on them. Our coaching staff introduced us to them and we will try to take advantage of our chances.

“I hope to show good football for the fans.”

While most people expect Arsenal to win comfortably, these are exactly the types of games we’ve blown in the past as we turn up believing that the points are already secure.

Editor of the Bulgarian newspaper, Meridian Match, Lyudmil Hristov, delivered a warning the players and manager would do well to heed.

“Last season Arsenal lost away to Dinamo Zagreb because they underestimated the opposition” he said. “Ludogorets are a very good side, but they suffer from the lack of great and constant competition in our domestic league. But they should not be written off or underestimated.”

This is Arsenal’s first ever game against a Bulgarian side and no Bulgarian has ever played for the club. In 1982, however, Petko Petkov become the first Bulgarian to score against Arsenal when he played for Austria Wien.

Arsenal lost that game 4-0.