Jubilant Wenger is upbeat after Gunners send Villareal packing

A jubilant Arsene Wenger says Arsenal "fancy" their Champions League semi-final against Manchester United after a comprehensive win over Villarreal on Wednesday night.

The Gunners' 3-0 victory over the Spanish side, coupled with Manchester United's 1-0 defeat of Porto in Portugal, set up a thrilling all-English last-four clash.

Holders United are unbeaten in 23 Champions League ties while Arsenal have not lost at home in European competition for five years.

After goals from Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie completed a comfortable 4-1 aggregate win, Wenger said: "United will be interesting. It will be a big challenge, a good challenge, but we are excited about it -we fancy that.

"We will give absolutely everything to get through. To have three teams out of four in the semi-finals every year is not a coincidence.

"It says that at the moment the Premier League is the best in Europe."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson agreed: "It's going to be a great semi-final with some good football in that one."

The Gunners travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday April 29, before the return at Emirates on Tuesday May 5.

Former Arsenal defender, Nigel Winterburn, is relishing the clash.

"I cannot overstate how dominant Arsenal were against Villarreal - the game against United will be a classic," he said.

But Arsenal face an injury crisis in defence with Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and league games with Liverpool and Middlesbrough to come before the United semi-final.

William Gallas (knee) is out for the rest of the season while centre-back Johan Djourou (knee) and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (ankle) are also injured.

In addition, Bacary Sagna was ruled out with a virus on Wednesday afternoon and Gael Clichy (back) is a doubt for Saturday's game.

Wenger said: "We still miss many players and we cannot afford to lose any more. Defensively we are short."

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