No looking back for Arsenal

Arsenal start as favourites after reserving their best performances this season for the Champions League.

The Londoners defeated Real Madrid and Juventus in the previous two rounds, establishing a competition record of eight successive games without conceding a goal.

Wenger knows that record will come under the severest test from Villarreal, who have done well against English clubs this season, beating Everton in the qualifying round last August and drawing 0-0 home and away with Manchester United in the group stages.

The two teams have been hit by injuries and suspensions.

Wenger is hoping 18-year-old Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas recovers from a foot injury for Wednesday8217;s first leg so that he can unleash the sort of damage he inflicted in the home leg of the quarter-final against Juventus last month when he scored in a 2-0 win.

Arsenal will be without defender Sol Campbell, who is recovering from surgery on a broken nose, and banned Spain forward Jose Antonio Reyes.

Villarreal arrive at Highbury without Argentina centre-back Gonzalo Rodriguez, who will miss the World Cup after tearing ligaments in his left ankle in Friday8217;s 1-0 defeat at Barcelona.

Juan Manuel Pena, a Bolivian international who has been Rodriguez8217;s regular partner in central defence, is missing after straining knee ligaments against Barca. He is also a doubt for next week8217;s second leg in Spain.

Mike Collett