Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be left to rue his decision not trying to sign Fernando Torres.

The Spain striker joined Liverpool in the summer from Atletico Madrid and has gone on to score 28 goals so far including 21 in the Premiership.

The 24-year-old is now the chief threat as the Gunners take on the Reds in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the first leg scheduled for Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium.

“I rate Torres,” said Wenger. “I believe he had quite a good start after a spell when he was in and out. Since he is back on a regular basis, he is extremely dangerous.”

“We have known about him for a long time, but I never tried to sign him. We were interested when he first started at Atletico Madrid, but we never made any offer,” added the French tactician.