Euro question haunts Wenger

Indeed, when he reflected almost wistfully how he had more regrets about losing last year to Chelsea "who were not better than us" than losing to this compact, efficient Bayern side, he sounded like a man who felt he had missed the boat. At least until his new crew of youngsters come of age in the triumphant manner which Philippe Senderos did last night.

How Wenger must have envied watching Chelsea's relentless, streetwise-triumph of the night before. Wenger noted that Champions League ties were so tight these days that they could be decided on a single controversial moment, like the fateful decision not to penalise Ricardo Carvalho for a foul on the Barcelona keeper.

Last night, though, it somehow did not really feel tight at all, apart from a couple of frantic moments in the dying minutes when Kolo Toure's header was tipped over by Oliver Kahn and Dennis Bergkamp shot wide. There was none of the feel of an out-of-control juggernaut a la Stamford Bridge, with Bayern always seeming in control of a far less exhilarating affair.

If it hadn't been for Thierry Henry conjuring another stupendous goal from nothing with Arsenal already looking exhausted of creative ideas mid-way through the second half, the Germans' grip on the tie would have been total.

So let's hear no more of this nonsense-about Henry's supposed lack of big match appetite. He ran around like a dervish and only his genius in cushioning Ashley Cole's through ball with his right foot and almost instantly swivelling to shoot beyond Kahn with his left foot ever really looked like breaching a considerable defence which may yet take Bayern all the way to Istanbul.

It was Henry's 29th goal in 59 Champions League appearances for Arsenal, which represents nearly a third of the club's tally in Wenger's seven years. Instead of always targetting Henry, his critics ought to ask whether the Frenchman has been given the necessary support up front in those years.

Last night, neither Freddie Ljungberg nor Bergkamp offered any help while Jose Antonio Reyes' lost voyages were painful to behold. Wenger probably didn't help himself either by not introducing Robert Pires earlier and by giving Ljungberg 80 minutes.

Yet Wenger's loyalty to his players was, as ever, absolute. "On a night like this, I wouldn't like to criticise them because I think they've given a lot over the years," he said.

Privately, though, perhaps he would have to accept that one common thread of Arsenal's European disappointments has been a lack of storming John Terry-type belief at the team's heart?

Now was Wenger braced for Saturday's-FA Cup quarter-final at Bolton, where defeat would spell Arsenal's first barren season in four years, being built up into a huge drama? "Would it be a drama if you walk out tonight and a car drives over you?" he responded wearily, recognising how we media folk love turning a drama into a crisis.

"Listen, of course it's always a big disappointment not to win a trophy but even the Championship is not over. Completely. Mathematically. When I speak of our values, it's not to give up as long as we have a chance."

We know his Arsenal won't surrender and that there has to be a delicious suspicion this season could end with him scrapping with his old mate Fergie for the big consolation prize at the Millennium Stadium.

After nights like this, though, didn't he ever question his own ability, Wenger was asked rather impertinently. "I question always my own ability," he responded. "Like you should do yours."

If that answer betrayed the tiniest hint of irritation, it was because Highbury's brilliant professor must sense his place among the immortals of his trade may always be questioned unless and until he ever solves his maddening European conundrum.