Given that Arsene Wenger has been publicly criticised by Dennis Bergkamp, Nwankwo Kanu and Sylvain Wiltord in the past week, it would be understandable if the Arsenal manager was panicking about an internal revolt. Instead he seems to be rubbing his hands.

Keeping four top-class strikers happy is near impossible, but Wenger knows a little frustration can go a long way. How easily a whingeing run can feed a winning run was plain to see against Chelsea on Sunday.

No sooner had Wiltord complained that being left out in Lyon had "stuck in his throat" and that he did not "always understand the choices of the coach" than he came off the bench to give a match winning performance. As Wenger planned for tonight's crucial return leg, he sounded unconcerned by his forwards' comments.

"I can understand that the strikers want to play, but I know as well that if you don't have four strikers you have no chance," he said. "As long as their frustration has positive consequences on the results of the team I'm okay. A champion shows how strong he is on the field."

Six straight wins show that the players are performing. Wenger senses the old consistency and mental strength are returning and knows three points tonight will go a long way to earning a quarter-final place. A further victory at home to Spartak Moscow on March 6th would seal it.

That Thierry Henry has partnered Kanu in every Champions League game so far hints at this evening's unhappy couple. Ray Parlour will return for Arsenal after suspension, as should Tony Adams. Gilles Grimandi or Oleg Luzhny will fill in for the ineligible Igors Stepanovs.

ARSENAL (possible, 4-4-2): Seaman; Dixon, Grimandi, Adams, Cole; Lauren, Parlour, Vieira, Pires; Henry, Kanu.