Arsene Wenger: We have no fear of Spanish test

Arsene Wenger has insisted his young Arsenal side have the strength of character to cope with the intimidating atmosphere of Villarreal's El Madrigal stadium.

The Spanish club, nicknamed the Yellow Submarine, have never lost at home in Europe and the cramped, close-knit ground will be unlike anything many of Wenger's players have experienced before.

But the Arsenal manager is proud of the way that his side have fought their way back into the
Premier League's top four in recent weeks and has no doubt about their ability to gain a positive result in tonight's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Wenger said: "What is important is how much belief that we take into the game against Villarreal. I am convinced we have enough experience to know that these kind of games are for 180 minutes — and that every single minute is
important to us.

"The team have become stronger since the beginning of the season. This team have shown a fantastic spirit, because they had to fight against negative opinions and have done that very well.

"I have a lot of respect for my team because of the mental strength they have shown. It is a very young team and my hope is that we can keep them together and develop very well."

Villarreal's star player, Marcos Senna, has shown somewhat less respect by this week claiming that his side have better "technical ability". But Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia today hit back, saying: "Technically, Villarreal are not better than Arsenal," he said. "We have a lot of talent in our team.

"Villarreal have very good technical players, because that is the Spanish game — but we do not play the typical English football.

"Arsenal play lovely football and to do that you need good players."

Saturday's 2-0 win over Manchester City extended Arsenal's unbeaten Premier League run to 17 matches and although Robin van Persie is absent due to a groin problem, the return of Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor and captain Cesc Fabregas has helped build a positive momentum.

"I think this season now looks to be our season," said Almunia. "It looks to be the season for the young players to be man enough to face all the big competitions.

"Alex Song, Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, these kind of players are 100 per cent mentally prepared to be totally professional and they have the potential to win trophies.

"We can win every single game and we are here to do it."