Gunners are ready to fire

Arsene Wenger has warned Manchester United his Arsenal team are "a different animal" to the side that went out of Europe at the hands of Liverpool last season.

Arsenal face United in tonight's Champions League semi–final, first leg at Old Trafford in the knowledge they have twice gone out to English opposition in the knock–out stages of Europe's top club competition.

The Arsenal manager said: "The team has matured a lot because I believe they are mentally strong and very determined.

Wenger has some selection worries with Robin van Persie injured and Andrey Arshavin ineligible but it will be in defence where his concerns are greatest. Left–back Kieran Gibbs is a doubt with an ankle problem, as is his likely replacement Mikael Silvestre, who has a back complaint.