Wenger boosts Van Persie

Manager Arsène Wenger today heaped praise on star striker Robin van Persie, saying that the Dutch international has never let him down.

van Persie, who was a World Cup finalist in South Africa, has been injured for much of his Arsenal career, but has returned from injury this year to become the league's top scorer for 2011.

The Dutchman has scored 11 goals in 9 appearances, a form which has impressed Wenger.

And Wenger cannot wait to unleash him against Spanish giants Barcelona, who are big favourites going into the tie at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.

Wenger said: "I'm very happy because I've always been a fan of Robin's. I bought him at a time when not many people were convinced.

"[Off the pitch] I compare him to a manager, he is a football fanatic.

"Every day of his life is focused on winning and being efficient. He is highly focused on doing well for the Club.

"I believe in my players and believe 100 per cent they have the quality to win.

"You exist in our job at the top level because you have specific qualities that just belong to you. It's difficult to compare.

"You make your career at our level because of your qualities. Robin has exceptional qualities.

"The only thing I can say is we are in an ideal condition to face them.

"We cannot complain. We have the belief, the confidence and the players available.

"We are 90 per cent in February and that was not the case last year. I feel we are in an ideal position to face them.

"We just want to show how good we are. We want to show the belief we have in our game, in our quality, more than looking at the past.

"We have practiced. We are determined, focused and we want to win this competition.

"We know we face the super-favourites of this competition but the only way to do it is to knock them out."