UEFA Champions League: There is no shame in the result, but that does not mitigate Arsenal's frustration. Arsene Wenger has never shied from his side's status as Champions League favourites, yet on this showing it is still unmerited.

In the more forgiving environs of the Premiership lost possession can go unpunished, but in this competition there is a requirement for precision that was not fulfilled last night. More accomplished opposition than Rosenborg would profit more wilfully.

Yet, though a lead was squandered, Arsenal's review should not become an obituary; they remain unbeaten and in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.

Rosenborg's status as the Champions League's 16th-ranked club, just six places behind Arsenal, is based on past glories that have seen the serial Norwegian champions overcome Real Madrid, Milan, Borussia Dortmund and, in 1995, Blackburn Rovers.

Wenger had spoken about the experience of a Rosenborg side stuffed with 30-somethings, the measure of which was the appearance last night of Harald Brattbakk, who featured in that 1995 campaign.

Certainly the home side were preparing in the manner of the underdog, practising before kick-off their shots from distance in the hope that such opportunities might arise in the match.

Such was Arsenal's fluency in possession that Rosenborg would, initially, have been glad even of that. There was ambition from the home side, pushing up in numbers. But that tactic needs to be matched by technique and Rosenborg were giving the ball away in their half too often. It opened the gaps that Thierry Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes use as their conduits to goal; from here Henry could create the chance for the opener.

He aimed a shot from 20 yards that Espen Johnsen, palming round a post, appeared to have denied. He had merely delayed. Frode Johnsen failed to clear Henry's corner and it fell to Patrick Vieira eight yards out. The Arsenal captain prodded it back into the six-yard box, where Freddie Ljungberg drove the ball into the net.

Arsenal continued to play possession football, again opening up the opposition when Erik Hoftun lost out to Henry. He nudged it on to Ljungberg, but the Swede's attempted centre was easily cleared when a shot would have been a better option.

Arsenal were themselves forced into unnecessary palpitations when Vieira allowed Ole Christer Basma behind the defence, where he picked up the ball from Roar Strand. A back-heeled return pass to Strand might have produced a goal had the Norway international chosen to shoot instead of misplacing his cross.

The game opened up in the second half, with Arsenal as profligate in possession as their hosts had been. Fredrik Winsnes and Oyvind Storflor combined to beat the Premiership champions' defence.

Storflor's cross was headed over by the striker Frode Johnsen, but the midfield partnership had carried out its dress rehearsal without a hitch. Soon it would act again for a goal.

Edu gave the ball away 30 yards out and Winsnes made an adroit through-pass for Storflor, who played Strand in on the edge of the area. The shot thundered high into Jens Lehmann's net.

Arsenal were not without their chances, Vieira's through-ball dissecting left-back and centre-half for Ljungberg. The cross and Henry's close-range shot were accurate, but so was Vidar Riseth's intervention on the line.

Campbell then displayed some delicate distribution, setting Ashley Cole free on the left. The left-back crossed to where Ljungberg and Robert Pires were waiting, but the Swede fired horribly wide.

Arsenal were taking hold of the contest, with Vieira wastefully failing to shoot when clean through. It was a mistake Reyes inverted, firing into the side netting from an acute angle when Henry and Ljungberg were in scoring positions.

Arsenal exhibited the necessary urgency but could not find the breakthrough.

ROSENBORG: Espen Johnsen, Basma (Russell 74), Riseth, Hoftun, Dorsin, Strand (George 64), Solli, Winsnes, Brattbakk (Braaten 82), Storflor, Frode Johnsen. Subs Not Used: Ronningen, Torjus Hansen, Stensaas, Helstad. Goals: Strand 52.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Vieira, Edu, Pires (Van Persie 82), Henry, Reyes. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Fabregas, Flamini, Cygan, Pennant, Clichy. Goals: Ljungberg 6.

Referee: F Meyer (Germany).

Guardian Service