Belief is the key, insists Wenger

Arsene Wenger accepts that his side's dominance in the Premiership creates expectations in Europe, where they have never gone beyond the semi-finals.

The Arsenal manager, whose side are unbeaten in 47 league matches going into tonight's clash with Rosenborg, said: "We are at a stage where people expect a lot from us and that is pressure. For me, to win the league is fantastic. But we have done that and people want more and more. We will try but football is not self-service - you don't put a coin in and get a bar of chocolate. It's not like that."

Trondheim was once the Viking base for plundering Europe and the home football club Rosenborg have proved to be just as clinical.

They are on course for a record 13th consecutive league title and have accumulated vast Champions League experience in the process.

Wenger admitted: "They have players who know what Europe is all about and that is a big asset for them. But we have lost only twice in the last year and both by one goal. That is a great record."

Wenger and his players know, though, that to be considered true greats they have to conquer Europe and there is a distinct feeling among his present squad that this could be the year.

Fredrik Ljungberg said: "We have had some great teams in the past but now we have the experience in the Champions League. It was a big disappointment last year when we went out after getting ourselves in a good position against Chelsea. Hopefully we have learned from that."

Rosenborg boss Ola By Rise - who as a 16-year-old midfielder was given his debut in a prestige friendly 1977 against Arsenal - has in his side former Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk, now 33, who stands one goal short of a record 150 goals in Norwegian league football.