Wenger hopeful of Old Trafford win.

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are full of belief ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester United after a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Robin van Persie remains sidelined by a groin problem, and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin is cup-tied in the Champions League, so the double salvo by captain Cesc Fabregas on Sunday and the return to fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia could not have come at a better time.

With such a vital tie only some 72 hours away, Wenger would have been forgiven if he had rested a couple of his key men against Boro in front of the watchful eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson in the Emirates crowd.

However, Arsenal named a strong starting XI and remained positive from the outset, with victory secured by well-taken goals from their captain in each half.

"The first target was to win the game, and that is the best preparation," Wenger said.
"If you go to Old Trafford without belief, you make it very difficult at the start for you.

"We will go there with belief and to enjoy it, and also will be faithful to the game we play and will go there like we do everywhere in Europe to try to score and win the game.

"What is important on Wednesday night is that we are at our best - when we are our best we can beat everybody, so let's focus on us to be at our best and not to speculate on any weakness of Manchester United because they have experience.

"If we play at our best, we have a good chance and can do it."
Fabregas' double were his first goals since the start of October.
"It keeps the run going we have got in the league and two days before the Manchester United game, which is probably our most important one of the season, it's good for the confidence," said the Arsenal captain, subject to a misconduct charge by the Football Association in the fall-out from the FA Cup tie against Hull.

Former United defender Mikael Silvestre was replaced at half-time and is now only 50/50 for the clash with his old club because of a back spasm, but centre-half Johan Djourou is fit again following a knee injury.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate accepted his side failed to make the most of the few chances they created.

Captain Stewart Downing and former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere both saw their efforts well saved by Almunia, while on another day the visitors could have been awarded a penalty for what looked handball by Nicklas Bendtner in the second half.

Boro remain three points from safety, and Southgate said: "We did okay, but okay is not enough when you come to somewhere like this.

"To get the result, if you get a half-chance you have got to take it.
"You have got to be outstanding because they are a top quality team, but I cannot fault my players' commitment."

However, Southgate maintained: "We know everybody else is looking over their shoulder, so we have got to win.

"We are probably underdogs for the four matches we have coming up, but we are still in there fighting."