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We are super-outsiders - Wenger
Uefa Champions League, Quarter-final first leg: Villarreal v Arsenal
Venue: Estadio El Madrigal
Date: Tuesday, 7 April
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC London 94.9, DAB & online; Updates on BBC Radio 5 Live, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Also live on ITV4
Wenger's best Champions League performance is reaching the 2006 final
Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are "super-outsiders" to win the Champions League - but he does not mind. The Gunners face Villarreal in the quarter-finals, the team they beat in the semi-finals in 2006 before losing to Barcelona in the final.
"We are super-outsiders to win the trophy - we can accept that," he said.
"I believe we have the strengths to deal with the challenge we face but let's first get through this challenge and try to get rid of Villarreal."
Wenger also said he took confidence from the way his side had returned to form towards the end of what had been a testing season.
"We are on a good run and are consistent, we have shown that in the Premier League and that's a good basis to got into the sprint, which starts in April," he added.
"I believe mentally we're much stronger than in September as we've been through difficult times together, which have created unity and tested our mental strength. In difficult times this team worked hard and was focused and united, that's why I'm confident."
One familiar face in the opposition line-up will be former Arsenal winger Robert Pires.
The French international made 189 appearances in six years at Highbury, including playing in the 2006 semi-final win over Villarreal.
But Pires said there would be no room for sentiment.
"It's special because I was there for six years but now I defend Villarreal's colours, I can't forget that," he stated.
"My only wish is to get through this tie and into the semi-finals with Villarreal."
The last game of his Arsenal career ended in disappointment as Wenger took him off early in the 2006 final against Barcelona, following the sending-off of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
"I thought I was going to end my career with Arsenal but Wenger did not have much confidence in me and I was luckily enough to be able to come to Villarreal," he commented.
"I didn't make a mistake because I'm very happy at Villarreal, which is a team with a lot of quality."
Wenger is still a great fan of the 35-year-old and has warned his players of the threat he poses.
"Pires was one of the great players I have signed," said Wenger.
"Of course, I would think that opinion would be shared by many Arsenal fans. Robert is still loved by the club."
He would have made even more appearances had he not suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury in 2002.
Before his injury, Wenger had said he was "the best player in the world in his position" and continued: "When I picked the team he was always automatically on the team sheet."
But despite the threat of Pires, Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia believes the Gunners' young stars have the talent to propel the north London club into the semi-finals.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games and booked a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
"Players like Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott - when these players are 100% fit, they can be mentally prepared to be totally professional, and they have the potential to win trophies," said the 31-year-old Almunia.
"We can win every single game and we are here to do it."
And Wenger believes his squad are finding their best form at just the right time of the season.
"The team has become stronger since the beginning of the season," said the Frenchman.
"This team has shown a fantastic spirit because they had to fight against every negative opinion existing in England and they did that very well."
Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini was in charge when Arsenal won the 2006 semi-final, thanks to Lehmann saving Juan Roman Riquelme's last-minute penalty.
But despite Arsenal's rich vein of current form, the Chilean does not believe the visitors have the advantage in their first-leg encounter.
"Three years ago, I didn't think Arsenal were favourites - and I don't think so now either because both teams are pretty even on the pitch," said Pellegrini.
"On that occasion we were better than them and I only hope that it is the same this time.
"We will need to have a great game to overcome them. Their style remains the same, even though the players have changed.
"Maybe the team these days is younger but the way they play is of the same Arsene Wenger style."
Uefa Champions League, Quarter-final first leg: Villarreal v Arsenal
Venue: Estadio El Madrigal
Date: Tuesday, 7 April
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC London 94.9, DAB & online; Updates on BBC Radio 5 Live, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Also live on ITV4
Wenger's best Champions League performance is reaching the 2006 final
Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are "super-outsiders" to win the Champions League - but he does not mind. The Gunners face Villarreal in the quarter-finals, the team they beat in the semi-finals in 2006 before losing to Barcelona in the final.
"We are super-outsiders to win the trophy - we can accept that," he said.
"I believe we have the strengths to deal with the challenge we face but let's first get through this challenge and try to get rid of Villarreal."
Wenger also said he took confidence from the way his side had returned to form towards the end of what had been a testing season.
"We are on a good run and are consistent, we have shown that in the Premier League and that's a good basis to got into the sprint, which starts in April," he added.
"I believe mentally we're much stronger than in September as we've been through difficult times together, which have created unity and tested our mental strength. In difficult times this team worked hard and was focused and united, that's why I'm confident."
One familiar face in the opposition line-up will be former Arsenal winger Robert Pires.
The French international made 189 appearances in six years at Highbury, including playing in the 2006 semi-final win over Villarreal.
But Pires said there would be no room for sentiment.
"It's special because I was there for six years but now I defend Villarreal's colours, I can't forget that," he stated.
"My only wish is to get through this tie and into the semi-finals with Villarreal."
The last game of his Arsenal career ended in disappointment as Wenger took him off early in the 2006 final against Barcelona, following the sending-off of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
"I thought I was going to end my career with Arsenal but Wenger did not have much confidence in me and I was luckily enough to be able to come to Villarreal," he commented.
"I didn't make a mistake because I'm very happy at Villarreal, which is a team with a lot of quality."
Wenger is still a great fan of the 35-year-old and has warned his players of the threat he poses.
"Pires was one of the great players I have signed," said Wenger.
"Of course, I would think that opinion would be shared by many Arsenal fans. Robert is still loved by the club."
He would have made even more appearances had he not suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury in 2002.
Before his injury, Wenger had said he was "the best player in the world in his position" and continued: "When I picked the team he was always automatically on the team sheet."
But despite the threat of Pires, Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia believes the Gunners' young stars have the talent to propel the north London club into the semi-finals.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games and booked a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
"Players like Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott - when these players are 100% fit, they can be mentally prepared to be totally professional, and they have the potential to win trophies," said the 31-year-old Almunia.
"We can win every single game and we are here to do it."
And Wenger believes his squad are finding their best form at just the right time of the season.
"The team has become stronger since the beginning of the season," said the Frenchman.
"This team has shown a fantastic spirit because they had to fight against every negative opinion existing in England and they did that very well."
Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini was in charge when Arsenal won the 2006 semi-final, thanks to Lehmann saving Juan Roman Riquelme's last-minute penalty.
But despite Arsenal's rich vein of current form, the Chilean does not believe the visitors have the advantage in their first-leg encounter.
"Three years ago, I didn't think Arsenal were favourites - and I don't think so now either because both teams are pretty even on the pitch," said Pellegrini.
"On that occasion we were better than them and I only hope that it is the same this time.
"We will need to have a great game to overcome them. Their style remains the same, even though the players have changed.
"Maybe the team these days is younger but the way they play is of the same Arsene Wenger style."