Next up..... Villarreal v Arsenal
The Champions League returns and we find ourselves at the scene of our dramatic semi-final triumph three years ago. We will also play against some familiar faces with Robert Pires and Pascal Cygan in the Yellow Submarines (great nickname!) line-up. As ever the all-important away-goal will be vital in this one, and with our return to form we can be confident of a result.
The opposition – Villarreal
Still a relatively small club Villarreal’s rise to the top of the Primera Liga has been as dramatic as any in recent years. They have become regulars in the Champions League and, of course, reached the semi-finals in 2006. They are currently fourth in the Primera Liga, nine points adrift of third-placed Sevilla and just two ahead of Valencia in the race for European places.


Last time out: Arsenal 2 Man City Almeria 3 Villarreal 0
The Gunners coasted to victory at the weekend over a travel sick Man City side. Meanwhile their next opponents crashed to a disappointing defeat away at Almeria with former Gooner Hero Bobby Pires seeing red.


Last meeting Villarreal 0 Arsenal 0 25 April 2006
The Gunners reached their first ever Champions League final with a nervy 0-0 draw in El Madrigal. Kolo Toure's first-leg goal was enough though it could have been different had Jens Lehman not saved Juan Roman Riquelme's penalty two minutes from time.


Team News
Andriy Arshavin is cup-tied and so misses out. Wenger will have to decide on the match-fitness of Fabregas and Adebayor, who all came back successfully from injury on Saturday. Van Persie, Walcott and Nasri will face late fitness tests. Eduardo, Rosicky and Diaby are all definitely out.


Probable XI
Almunia,
Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy,
Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Walcott
Adebayor Van Persie


Key men
Arsenal –Fabregas
It was great to see the Spanish magician back in action on Saturday. Even though he isn’t match fit his class still shows, and he could play a key role in the game.
Villarreal – Robert Pires
A wonderful player for us, it will be interesting to see how he fares against his old team-mates.

Latest match odds

Match odds: Villarreal 2/1 Arsenal 7/4 The draw 9/4

Prediction
Villarreal have never lost a home Champions League game but with players coming back to form and fitness I fancy us to come away with a draw - and a vital away goal. 1-1 is my Champions League prediction.

Villarreal 1-1 Arsenal
Adebayor