Ryan Giggs believes that if Manchester United approach their Champions League semi-final second leg the same way they approached the first, they will reach the final for the second year running.
Giggs came on as a substitute to make his 800th appearance for United in last week's Old Trafford clash, which on the balance of play the hosts should have won by more than 1–0, and the PFA player of the year is confident that a repeat performance at the Emirates tomorrow night will suffice for his side to book a place in the Rome final on 27 May.
"If we play to the ability we did in the first half last week we will have no problems," said the former Wales captain. "We went out to get the crowd going and play at a quick tempo. That is what we do when we are at our best.
"Arsenal are a top team and they are capable of scoring goals so we are under no illusions about how difficult this is going to be. But our form in Europe has been excellent and we are in a good position."
Having started Saturday's 2–0 win over Middlesbrough, Giggs is expected to be restricted to a place on the substitutes' bench tomorrow, where he will watch his team-mates attempt to improve upon a disappointing Emirates record, which reads: played three, lost two, won none.
"You have to look after Arsenal's quality players," said Giggs. "They have so many match-winners; [Cesc] Fábregas, [Emmanuel] Adebayor, [Theo] Walcott, [Robin] Van Persie, if he is fit. The threat is obvious, so you have to try and nullify it. But we have to try and stamp our own authority on the game because we have outstanding players ourselves."
Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, rested seven players for his side's 3–0 success against Portsmouth on Saturday and is hoping Van Persie will recover from the groin injury that kept the Holland international out of the first leg. Wenger will be buoyed by the fact that both Van Persie and Mikaël Silvestre, the former United centre-back who also missed the trip to the south coast with a similar problem, took part in training today.
Meanwhile, Wenger's opposite number, Sir Alex Ferguson, was also given a major lift this morning as Rio Ferdinand returned to training. The France defender Patrice Evra was also a minor doubt after limping out of the Middlesbrough match with a slight knock, but it is expected that the left-back will also recover in time for the trip to London.
