Bergkamp praises young Gunners

Wenger also praised 17-year-old Spanish midfielder Fabregas, who scored Arsenal's third goal last night, a stunning volley after some deft touches.

The manager: "It was an excellent goal and a very dominant performance by a 17-year-old boy especially in the first half."

Among those who will give a guiding hand on Sunday will be Bergkamp. After a three-match absence he was back with a flourish as Arsenal responded in a must-win game.

Bergkamp said: "We were always in the right frame of mind, we knew what we had to do and we produced a good performance ahead of Sunday.

"We played some one-touch football and that hasn't been there for a few weeks. It helps to get the confidence back."

It was indeed both the result and the performance that Wenger demanded. With the exception of a costly blunder by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, everyone excelled.

Patrick Vieira and Lauren were suspended, Gilberto Silva and Edu were injured while Fredrik Ljungberg joined the sick list a few hours before the kick-off when he awoke from a pre-match sleep with a migraine.

Rosenborg coach Per Joar Hansen said: "Arsenal showed us a level tonight we could not really reach. They ran faster, jumped higher and showed us how to hit the target and we made too many mistakes."

Thierry Henry revealed how the squad had bonded closer together as a season that had started with such promise had begun to unravel.

The Frenchman said: "That is all you can do - stick together. We have been through so much stuff together."

He also tried to play down Sunday's match, adding: "It is a huge game but for me all games are huge. These 'big games' only count if you play well all the time. You win titles everywhere, not only against Chelsea.

"You win it at places like West Brom and over 38 games - not only against Chelsea. Everyone has a go at them and I don't understand that. You think it is easy because they are cruising - but it is not easy."