Arsenal have been trophyless for four years and, though the Gunners have won plenty of plaudits for their playing style and promise, Wenger believes the time has now come for the team to deliver in tomorrow's Champions League semi-final, first leg at Old Trafford.

The fact a place in the Champions League final is up for grabs makes the stakes that much higher for both Wenger and Arsenal - European football's top prize has so far eluded manager and club.

Wenger said: "This is the moment we have been waiting for and this is the moment we want to show what's needed to take advantage of the first leg.

"We have tried to build our team in a different way. It is not better or worse, we have just built a young team because we wanted to develop a special way of playing and a special spirit.

"When the players had been educated together from the age of 16 to 23 or 24 there is something special we hope will come out at this level of the competition."

Asked if he regarded the failure to win the European Cup as a gap in Arsenal's history, he said: "It is - that is why we are here and that's why we are very determined to wipe that out."

Wenger took Arsenal to the final in 2006 when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona after playing much of the game with 10 men, and his previous best effort came with Monaco, who went out at the semi-final stage to AC Milan in 1994.

The Frenchman refused, however, to be drawn on the possibility he might end his career without one of his teams having taken that final step.

"I don't know what I would feel if I didn't win the Champions League," said Wenger.

"I am an optimist. I believe I will win it, the sooner the better. That is why I am here with complete belief.

"I am at a stage of my career that I am more focused to do it for the players, the club and the fans than for myself.

"I had the luck to stay at the same club for 12 years and I also know how much it means to the club and the players. I am just focused to give every bit of energy I have to the team."

Arsenal's experience against other English teams in Europe has not been good - they lost to Chelsea in 2004 and Liverpool last year at the quarter-final stage - but Wenger insists his team are now better equipped than 12 months ago.

He added: "The team has matured a lot because I believe they are mentally strong and very determined.

"Maybe because we have gone through a bad start to the season, and a difficult period, it helped the team who is very young to grow. I think this team is a different animal to last year, mentally, especially."

Wenger has some selection worries with Robin van Persie injured and Andrey Arshavin ineligible but it will be in defence where his concerns are greatest.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs is a doubt with an ankle problem, as is his likely replacement Mikael Silvestre, who has a back complaint.

With Gael Clichy out of the picture, 18-year-old Gibbs' fitness could prove crucial given he will be up against Cristiano Ronaldo. Wenger's other option would be to switch Bacary Sagna from right-back.

Wenger insisted, however, he would not focus on stopping Ronaldo, saying: "Of course we will try to keep Ronaldo quiet but, if you only focus on him, somebody else will be dangerous.

"You can forget Manchester United have 11 good players all of whom can be a problem to us. Let's just focus on playing well."

The Gunners manager also conceded winning the Champions League could have a dramatic bearing on Arsenal's global impact - but they should remain true to their credo of good football.

"Every title makes you bigger," he said. "What makes the size of the club are the people who love it. People love success. The more you win, the more fans you have who love the club.

"But there is something more than winning trophies. It is the style of play as well. The ambition you have, the vision and values the club has. It is all around. But it has all to be right."