The Gunners host Manchester United this afternoon facing up to a sixth successive season without silverware following a run of just one victory in the last seven Premier League games. The campaign, though, had once again promised so much before unravelling in a matter of weeks following a shock Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham at the end of February. Wenger, however, remains adamant the squad are on the cusp of greatness. "The team has accumulated a lot of experience despite their age. They are 23 on average now, but football-wise are 26 or 27," the Arsenal manager said. "I gave them a chance to play at a young age and I don't regret it. "Maybe I could have got some more experienced players, but it is too easy to say that." Wenger stressed there was no reason for the likes of captain Cesc Fabregas, striker Robin van Persie or midfielder Samir Nasri to consider their futures despite another barren campaign. "They are very close. We need to strengthen some areas, but we have the quality," he said. "At the moment we have to face some scepticism, but we have to keep believing in our strengths. "These players all started at a very young age and they should be ready." Wenger, though, would not be drawn on his potential summer transfer targets, when some experienced heads are expected to be added to help get the youngsters over the line in 2011/2012. "At the moment I do not want to focus too much on what we miss. We need to focus on what we have and there is no need to add any negatives to our situation," he said. "Let's finish our season with pride and we will try to add to our team what we can." Wenger turns 62 later this year and admits he is "not an office man" when suggestions are raised he may look to move upstairs to a director of football role at Emirates Stadium when his current deal expires in June 2014. The French coach, however, accepts he has endured the most difficult season of his tenure. "It is certainly the year when I have worked the hardest, and for the team it has been the toughest," he said. "But over the last five years this has been the highest quality we have produced. "We have battled on all fronts and have produced quality, we just couldn't finish the job." Arsenal may have seen their hopes of domestic and European honours fade, but United, who are three points clear of second-placed Chelsea, still remain on course for both after securing a 2-0 away win over Schalke in the Champions League semi-final first leg. Sir Alex Ferguson's men look set for another mouthwatering clash with Barcelona, who won away to Real Madrid, at Wembley on May 28. Wenger guided Arsenal to a famous 2-1 win over the Catalans in their last-16 clash, only to be well beaten with 10 men on the return to the Nou Camp. The Arsenal manager sees no reason why United cannot gain revenge for their 2009 Champions League final defeat to Pep Guardiola's side. "On one game we did it - we are the only ones who have beaten Barcelona, so why should Manchester United not to do it?" Wenger said. "They know Barcelona as well as I know them. They have already played Barcelona in the European Cup final. "It looks like it will be the final again at Wembley and you never know."
