But the 23-year-old Argentina international, who played a key part in West Ham's battle against relegation last season, joined the Red Devils.

"When I saw Manchester United on the case, I thought no," said the Arsenal boss. "If they had not been on the case, yes.

"I would have analysed it and looked at how would it go. But it looked as if they were on the case early.

"However I knew I had (Robin) van Persie and Adebayor to play at the start. I wanted to give them confidence.

"Then I had (Nicklas) Bendtner behind and I wanted to give him confidence. [In the end] I looked for a player like Eduardo, who can play left wing, right or central."

Wenger played down reports linking Adebayor with a move to Old Trafford in the close season.

The Togo striker, 23, has netted six goals this season and, in the absence of Van Persie, is set to lead the Arsenal attack again when the Gunners face Alex Ferguson's side at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow lunchtime.

"I would first like to check that it's true," Wenger told reporters this afternoon.

"If it's not Adebayor, I think it's his agent. He had a contract at that time as well, anyway, and I have never been approached by Manchester United.

"He has extended his contract here since then."

The Frenchman maintains nothing more than three points will be on the line when his Premier League leaders take on the champions.

The Gunners head into the top-of-the-table clash defending an unbeaten record of 24 matches in all competitions, which stretches back to April last season.

However, Wenger knows full well the campaign has a long way to run. Arsenal completed the double over United last term but finished 21 points behind United.

Bookmakers are laying 4/7 on that the winners of tomorrow's showdown will fail to go on to claim the title.

Wenger insisted: "How big an influence it will have on the championship at the moment is impossible to decide.

"This year we have both started well, but it is too early to say Manchester United and Arsenal are the only contenders for the championship.

"What is important is we keep our style. There is room for improvement on our side, because we are a very young side.

"We are very, very hungry for success. We can improve with that kind of attitude."

Ferguson agrees it is premature to label the meeting of the heavyweights - separated only by goals scored although leaders Arsenal have a match in hand - as a title showdown.

However, the Scot knows it will be a "tense" affair.

Wenger is hoping that English football's two leading sides are able to put on a show for what is set to be a massive global TV audience.

"It is always very difficult to promise a quality game the day before, but it should be a good football game," said the Arsenal manager.

"There are two teams who play flowing football at a high pace, and that's always worth watching.

"The game can become an art when that happens, and you should never miss that."

A group of Arsenal fans are, meanwhile, set to give their own special "welcome" to Russian Alisher Usmanov, whose company recently bought 23% of the club's shares and sparked rumours of a takeover.

As a protest, REDaction intend to release some 14,500 large balloons ahead of the match, which Usmanov is expected to attend.