Gunners ready to conquer Europe

Arsene Wenger has warned Manchester United that Arsenal are ready to become the latest Premier League side to conquer Europe.

Wenger has watched in frustration as United and Liverpool have triumphed in the Champions League over recent seasons.

The closest Arsenal’s French manager has come to getting his hands on Europe’s most prestigious club prize was in 2006 when his side were beaten in the final by Barcelona.

They reached the quarter-finals last season only to suffer heartache at the hands of Liverpool and they face familiar opponents again in Wednesday’s semi-final first leg in the shape of United.

But Wenger believes his players are close to losing their unwanted tag as the nearly men of Europe. He is confident they can learn from the bitter disappointment of recent seasons to defeat the current champions of Europe.

“While I have been manager at Arsenal I believe we have been very close,” said Wenger, ahead of his side’s test at Old Trafford.

“I believe we will now make it. I’m an optimist and I believe we will win it, but the sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.

“I’m at the stage of my career where I am more focused to do it. I know how much it means to the club.

“The team has matured a lot (from last season) because the team is mentally strong.

“I want to win. I want to win for the club, the players and the fans. I want this group of players to do it.”

Wenger believes that winning the Champions League would elevate Arsenal to a different level as a club.

“Every title makes you bigger,” he argued. “People love success. The more you win the more people will love the club. The trophies are part of it.”

Wenger revealed that teenage left-back Kieran Gibbs was highly doubtful for Wednesday’s match because of an ankle injury, adding to the Gunners’ problems in defence.

First-choice left-back Gael Clichy and centreback William Gallas are both ruled out by injury while Mikael Silvestre, who could come in for Gibbs, is struggling to recover from a back problem in time to face his former club.