Arsenal Ready to Roll

Arsenal will meet Vilareal in the second semifinal of UEFA Champions League. Since it's the first semifinal of the competition for the English side in many years, and Wenger`s first as Arsenal coach, the French advised his players to take cautionary measures against Villareal playmaker, Riquelme.

"Riquelme is a kind of quarterback to call on when it is needed. Diego Forlan is the runner and they have Juan Pablo Sorin too. It means they are a team that has technical tricks, tactical knowledge, yet can slow the game down and wait for a weak moment", said Wenger before this evening's big clash. Wenger also said that he is afraid of the Spanish counter-attacks and has to leave no spaces for the Spanish players.

On the other hand, Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini warned his players about French striker Thiery Henry: "Henry is the sort of striker who can decide any game and it is very important that we neutralize him, but we also have to watch their other players too".

He also stated that Villareal will not change its way of playing, depending on the team they meet. Even if they seem to be the underdog in this match, Villareal coach is confident in his team reaching the final: "You can't compare Villarreal with Arsenal in terms of history or potential, but we still haven't achieved our goal in the Champions League and we will be working very hard to get in the final".


ARSENAL: J.A. Reyes will miss tonight's game, being suspended after the quarterfinals round, Freddy Ljunberg and Cesc Babregas, recovered from his foot injury, are expected to return to the team.

VILLAREAL: Gonzalo Rodriguez and Juan Manuel Pena are both ruled out.