He said: "I always believed there was something special about this team. They have a combination of humility, hunger, strength, togetherness and talent.

    "We have worked hard and improved a lot - now we want to finish the job.

    "When you get to the final you want to take the cup home and I am convinced we are ready for the challenge. We have peaked at the right moment."

    Wenger believes his side's victory over Real Madrid in the first knockout stage gave his players the belief that they could lift the trophy despite their patchy form in the Premiership this season.

    "The biggest enemy of every sportsman is confidence. It goes so quickly," Wenger added.

    "There were times when this team lost complete belief.

    "They were difficult times but I could always rely on the experienced players not to give in and rebuild confidence.

    "I have tried to convince these players they are top quality. I am happy to have been proven right but this is another step we want to take.

    "Barcelona are a very good team but playing at our best we can beat them. Even if it is the best team we will play in the Champions League this season, I still believe we can do it."

    Both teams have a reputation for playing stylish attacking football but Wenger was quick to play down suggestions that Wednesday's game is guaranteed to be a classic.

    "I love football and I think everybody in Europe wanted this final. It is a pleasure for people who love football," he said.

    "It could be a crazy game if there's an early goal but it's difficult to predict. In a final the game can be locked for a while but at some moment it will open up." Enditem