Cautious Wenger keeps options open

But Wenger gave Almunia his Premiership debut in the 3-0 win over Birmingham - a bold move after Almunia's performance in the Carling Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

The Spaniard rewarded Wenger's faith by ensuring Arsenal finished the Birmingham match with their first clean sheet in 14 games, even though he once again demonstrated a worrying flaw in his handling, allowing the one shot that threatened his goal to squirm from his hands and roll towards the goalline.

Wenger's decision to play Almunia against Birmingham was to either prepare him for Rosenborg or send a message to Lehmann.

In truth, Lehmann has made a few howlers, but it is sometimes the case that coaches drop goalkeepers not simply because of their mistakes, but because of the effect their mistakes have on the other defenders.

If some of the outfield players have lost faith in Lehmann, Wenger has little option but to make a change.

Arsenal, as a unit, have not been defending well. Last season they conceded just 26 Premiership goals in 38 matches. This season they have already conceded 20 in 16 matches.

Wenger offered an insight into his thinking on this subject when he said: "It was important to keep a clean sheet against Birmingham. A 3-0 victory makes the whole team happy. A 5-4 victory makes only the forwards happy."

The way the normally lucid Arsenal manager has sparred with the media over the Lehmann-Almunia issue suggests this is a very sensitive matter for him. "I don't want to make this bigger than it is," he said. "I've left out many big players before. Bergkamp and Kanu, for instance, both spent time on the bench."

Realistically, Arsenal should secure the win they need to guarantee their progress to the last 16 regardless of who plays in goal. It is, though, possible that Wenger simply believes this to be the ideal opportunity to introduce Almunia to Champions League football.

Rosenborg, after all, are one of Europe's weaker sides and are already out of the competition. They have lost 14 of their last 15 away Champions League ties though new coach Per Joar Hansen was encouraged by the 2-1 win over Esbjerg last week - his first victory in four matches.

"We showed a lot of heart but I don't think Arsene Wenger will have too many sleepless nights," he said.

The Arsenal manager must have some concerns, though, about his young midfield.

"Flamini has a tremendous work rate and Fabregas has already played big games and done well," he said. "This will be a big test for both of them."

Similarly, it will test the nerves of Almunia, if selected. To be honest, it would have been far more interesting had this goalkeeping debate taken place immediately before a European tie against a team such as PSV Eindhoven or one of the big Italian clubs.

And we will only be able to judge Wenger's true goalkeeping preference when Arsenal play Premiership leaders Chelsea at Highbury on Sunday.

If he picks Almunia to face Eidur Gudjohnsen, Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben, Lehmann will know for sure that he's no longer the automatic first choice.

Rosenborg are far less demanding opposition. Though they have dominated Norwegian domestic football they have won only three of their last 29 Champions League ties. Their last away win was five years ago - 3-0 at Borussia Dortmund.

Guess who was the Dortmund goalkeeper that day?

Jens Lehmann.