'Job done means beating Chelsea'

He said: "It's a national debate when you change a player in the team. It can be very difficult for the player who comes in because he's under such pressure. Every small mistake is analysed. Every goalkeeper makes mistakes but Almunia made a fantastic save in the first half."

That's true. In the 17th minute he dived full stretch to block a volley from Harald Brattbakk. Almunia's delight was matched by that of the crowd. Fully recognising the confidence-boosting value of this piece of action, they applauded for a second time when his save was repeated on the big screen.

Was this one outstanding save from three indifferent displays, against Manchester United in the Carling Cup, Birmingham and Rosenborg, enough for the Spaniard to secure the goalkeeping jersey in what could turn out to be the game of the season? Personally, I doubt it, but Wenger will build Sunday's game plan around his usual conviction that Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Reyes can outscore the opposition.

The Arsenal manager said: "We have the belief and we have the quality. If we're the underdogs against Chelsea I won't mind. All that matters is our own performance and the one thing I can guarantee is that my players will give everything."

Last week, after a disappointing run of results that threatened to derail their season, Wenger set his players three targets. "The first was to beat Birmingham and we achieved that," he said.

"The second was to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League and we've achieved that. The third one is to beat Chelsea, so I can't say the job is done yet.

"We have a big step still to climb but it would have been really bad preparation for Sunday's game had we been knocked out of Europe last night."

That was never even a remote prospect against a poor Norwegian side that have finished bottom of Group E with just two points.

The crisply-taken third-minute goal from Reyes simply set the tone for the rest of the match. He and Henry both then wasted chances before the French striker lobbed goalkeeper Espen Johnsen in the 24th minute for Arsenal's second goal.

Five minutes later, Cesc Fabregas added a third, becoming, at 17, the second youngest goalscorer in Champions League history.

His close control and the accuracy of his volley were impressive. "He was the dominant figure and gave a great performance in the first half," said Wenger.

Although an unfamiliar partnership in Arsenal's midfield, Fabregas and 20-year-old Mathieu Flamini played with authority and diligence. But Chelsea's midfield will provide a much sterner examination of their potential.

Robert Pires scored a 41st-minute penalty which more or less ended Rosenborg's challenge and perhaps explained why Arsenal lost a little impetus in the second half.

Wenger's side had all the possession after the break and could have scored more goals but, in the end, they had to settle for substitute Robin Van Persie's 84th minute contribution.

One of three young players brought off the bench by Wenger, Van Persie's inclusion meant that, at the end, Arsenal had seven players aged 21 or less in their team.

This bodes well for the future but, for the moment, Wenger can reflect on the fact that while the qualifying road was long and winding, the final placings in Group E were much as everyone predicted - with Arsenal top and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven second.