Ferguson fires first at third-rate Gunners
"At the moment, Arsenal are not in the form of Manchester United and Chelsea," he stated. "But that could change overnight because there is no doubt they have plenty of quality. Overall, when I look around Europe, I don't think there are three stronger sides than Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United."
It is five seasons since United last emerged victorious from a trip to Highbury, although with four wins from their last five meetings, Ferguson is confident in his players' ability to rise to the challenge.
"We know what to expect and I trust the players to handle it," he said. "The confidence of playing against Arsenal is always there even though the records tell you there has been nothing between the two sides over the last 10 years.
"One club tends to have a run of good results, then the other bounces back and has one. When sides of this quality meet each other, the result can go either way."
Ferguson will make a number of changes to the side that beat Middlesbrough on Saturday, with midfield duo Roy Keane and Paul Scholes among those expecting a recall. Mikael Silvestre should be reunited alongside Rio Ferdinand at the heart of United's defence, leaving their long-serving manager to determine the offensive make-up of his team.
Two-goal FA Cup hero Wayne Rooney and fellow teenager Cristiano Ronaldo both impressed against Boro although, with Ryan Giggs likely to play, one of the youngsters may be asked to stand down in favour of the more physical threat of either Louis Saha or Alan Smith.
Wenger admits that losing tonight's clash will rule either Arsenal or United out of the title race "and if Chelsea win at Blackburn the next day, then they would definitely be out of it," he admitted.
But while Wenger played down the chances of another bust-up between the two sides, Sol Campbell revealed the depth of animosity which now exists following their two Old Trafford confrontations.
"It's just more bitter and personal against United. There's an edge. Maybe a bit of the old north-south divide as well," said Campbell.
"Everyone at Arsenal has been waiting for this game. We are up for this one and we know we have to win. A draw does nothing for us or them.
"So it's very intense and after all that has happened, if we beat them, it will be one of our sweetest ever wins, especially because of how we lost to them up there."
Wenger also challenged Chelsea to issue a categorical denial of claims of an illegal move for Ashley Cole as he revealed his belief that a secret meeting may have taken place.
Wenger voiced concerns over the destabilising timing of the reports, describing the "coincidence" on the eve of tonight's game as "just a little troublesome."
But while he has gained an assurance from Cole that he remains committed to Arsenal, Wenger has not asked the defender whether he did meet Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon in secret last week.
After all, the Arsenal boss concluded that "it looks to me like, yes, it has happened, although I don't know for sure."
And he does not want to do anything that might disrupt his own attempts to get Cole's agreement to a lucrative contract extension.
Wenger nevertheless insisted the onus is not on 24-year-old Cole to confirm or deny whether Chelsea illegally approached him without first gaining Arsenal's approval.
Kenyon insisted the Blues would have nothing to fear from any official inquiry.
"The rules of the game are quite clear so we're just getting on with our business," he said.
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