Arsenal held to a draw in Norway

Arsenal once again failed to find their domestic form in Europe as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Rosenborg in Norway.

After starting brightly in the Lerkendal Stadium and taking the lead through Freddie Ljungberg on six minutes, the Gunners failed to convert their chances and were made to pay when Roar Strand fired in a deserved equaliser for the hosts at the start of the second half.

That goal was enough to maintain the Norwegian's unbeaten
home record in this competition stretching back to September 2001.

Wenger can at least take some consolation from Arsenal's four-point haul in their opening two group games, which is a vast improvement on their Champions League form of early last season.

The Gunners took the lead with their first serious attack in the sixth minute. Thierry Henry tested Espen Johnsen with a low, 25-yard drive, which the Rosenborg goalkeeper did well to turn behind at full stretch.

The Frenchman's corner was expertly delivered into a crowded goalmouth, and Frode Johnsen could clear only as far Patrick Vieira at the edge of the box. He quickly returned the ball goalwards, where Ljungberg was on hand to sweep it into the net from close range.

Arsenal kept possession well just after they took the lead, and Rosenborg struggled to break the visitors down.

In the 20th minute, Rosenborg captain Erik Hoftun sent a 30-yard strike well wide after being set up from a free-kick following Edu's foul on Strand.

As the half-hour approached, Jens Lehmann flapped at a corner from the left. Fortunately for the big German, Johnsen was not able to get a clean contact on his header.

With five minutes to half-time, a clever back heel from Rosenborg's Ole Christer Basma to Strand just inside the penalty area saw the ball returned to him first time - and it needed a timely intervention from Edu to block a dangerous cross.

It was no surprise when Rosenborg equalised on 52 minutes.
Winsnes picked out Storflor on the left, and the forward pulled the ball back to Strand who this time made no mistake as he fired the ball past Lehmann from 15 yards.

Arsenal had their chances to regain the lead with Ljungberg, Henry and Vieira all wasting good openings. 

Rosenborg remained dangerous on the break, and it could have gotten worse for Arsenal in the 70th minute had Mikael Dorsin managed a good contact on his low shot from just inside the box after being picked out by Johnsen's cut-back.

Henry had an effort parried in stoppage time, but the ball bounced to a Rosenborg player rather than one in a red shirt to consign the Gunners to a single point instead of all three.