Brazilians flaunt Arsenal's armoury

By Claire Nash
 
How Arsenal FC set about cracking their enigma code in the UEFA Champions League is likely to prove as fascinating as it will be compelling.

English mastery
An irresistible force in the Premiership - yet haunted by underachievement in Europe. Despite the soothing balm of a record-breaking 45-game unbeaten run, the only antidote to their distress is to win the elusive European trophy, according to Arsenal's Brazilian duo Gilberto and Edu.

European obsession
"The Champions League is an obsession for Arsenal, from the players to the fans," Edu told uefa.com. "We have a squad capable of winning the competition. I don't need to remind anyone what a lift it was when Patrick Vieira chose to stay at Highbury and we have got a hungry group of young players coming through too."

Tournament favourites
Arsène Wenger's side are none the less opening their campaign against PSV Eindhoven at Highbury tonight as tournament favourites, and confidence is high from a blistering Premiership start, with Arsenal averaging four goals a game. Yet Gilberto has warned their group rivals, who also include Panathinaikos FC and Rosenborg BK, that they are ready to step up another gear.

Another gear
"We feel motivated, not worried, about the importance of our campaign in Europe this year," Gilberto told uefa.com. "Last year's Premiership title and our unbeaten record will be a bittersweet memory if we fail in the Champions League. But that is a spur for us."

New stars
The emergence of Spanish duo José Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas, 17, are further boosts for the Gunners. Gilberto said of Reyes: "He's on fire. He is already a great hero for the fans. I'm happy for José, he is a wonderful kid, always with that cheeky smile. He's another example of how Arsène Wenger has a wonderful eye for young players."

Cesc factor
While Reyes has been a smiling assassin, his compatriot Fabregas has been the puppet master, the teenager pulling the strings with aplomb while filling in for Vieira. "Cesc is a kid who seems to be blessed with talent," said Edu, despite suffering as a result of Fabregas's assured displays.

Amazing talent
"He still needs to learn things and adapt to the tough routine of English football, but Cesc amazed me in the [FA] Community Shield," he added. "Gilberto was basically the only experienced midfielder available but we still managed to defeat Manchester United [FC], which is always a very good feeling."

Changing times
Of course, much of Arsenal's feel-good factor is also fuelled by the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, one of the old guard determined to bow out with a Champions League medal. "This is a special season," said Gilberto. "We have our record, but there is also the prospect that the squad will be reshuffled at the end of the season.

Final chance
"I am sure some of our senior players will be thinking this could be the last chance of this group," he added. "That could give us the stamina to go the extra mile when everybody wants a piece of us."