Manchester United takes on Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday, April 29, in the first leg of the semi final clash between those two teams who have never met before in a European tournament.
 
United and Arsenal have met a total of 205 times in all competitions; Manchester United have the marginal edge, having prevailed in 82, Arsenal 78 with 45 of them being drawn.
 
For the first time in what seems to be a long spell this season, Ferguson has almost a complete squad to chose from, with most of his players having returned from injury, which will be worrisome for the Gunners, and create selection dilemmas for SAF. Arsenal on the other hand are in frightening form, having scored four ‘away’ goals in the thriller at Anfield, something that hasn’t passed amiss to Ferguson.
 
The only players Ferguson cannot rely on are Gary Neville, and long term casualty, Owen Hargreaves.
 
"Everyone's fit, apart from Gary," Ferguson was quoted as saying by United’s website. "It's a strong position to be in going into a Champions League semi-final."
 
Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov dismantled Tottenham on the weekend, netting five goals in 19 minutes and this gives plenty of opportunity up front in attack. Apart from devastating offensive, United will also have to concentrate on keeping it tight at the back, as any away goals conceded might prove lethal in the end.
 
John O'Shea could be preferred to Rafael Da Silva and fit-again Wes Brown at right-back, while Ryan Giggs, if selected will be making his titanic 800^th appearance for the club, just days after he landed the PFA award of the year.
 
Arsenal centre-back Mikael Silvestre (back) and left back defender Kieran Gibbs (ankle) are both unlikely to feature as according to the Gunners website, they are struggling with their fitness.
 
Most crucial for Arsene Wenger is that his wonder striker, who netted four against Liverpool, Andrey Arshavin is not eligible to play in this tie.
 
Clichy hopes to return from a back injury in time for the second leg.
 
"He could be back for the second Manchester United game," said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, as quoted by the BBC. "He has a scan. We'll go from there. He has a chance to be back in full training next week."
 
Before the encounter, Wenger also paid his respects to United veteran Ryan Giggs:
 
"I have a big respect for Ryan Giggs because he started his career in 1991 and we are now in 2009," he said as quoted by MUTV
 
"When a guy has played 18 years at that level, you have to have complete respect. The focus and the sacrifices that it demands to be at the top level for 18 years are massive.
 
"Now he has been named Player of the Year and there has been a big debate (about that). OK, maybe this hasn't been the best year of his career but the only miracle is not that he got it this year, it's that he never got it before."