Champions League Group E prospects

A look at the prospects for Arsenal, Panathinaikos, PSV Eindhoven and Rosenborg Trondheim in Group E of the Champions League this season:

ARSENAL (ENGLAND)

Arsenal are desperate to win the Champions League this season after years of underachievement in Europe.

Last season Arsene Wenger's side rewrote history when they became the first team for 115 years to win the English league title while remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign.

However, they have continually struggled to make a lasting impression among Europe's elite.

Wenger has been frugal in the transfer market with his major signing being Robin van Persie from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee but skipper Patrick Vieira's decision to stay at Highbury rather than move to Real Madrid was a major boost.

Arsenal seemed set to at least reach the semi-finals last season but surprisingly lost 2-1 at home to London rivals Chelsea in the second leg of the quarter-finals after drawing 1-1 in the first leg to lose 3-2 on aggregate.

COMMENT: Director Danny Fiszman: "I'm pleased we've got who we've got. This is the one big trophy we as a club have never been able to win and to really make our mark and stamp our name in the world of football, we have to win the Champions League."

PANATHINAIKOS (GREECE)

Panathinaikos will go into the Champion's League with a new confidence as Greek champions after seven years as runners-up.

Their prospects have been boosted by holding on to captain and Euro 2004 winner Angelos Basinas but the midfielder will be without Greece team mates Yiourkas Seitaridis and Antonis Nikopolidis who have left for Porto and Olympiakos respectively.

Israeli coach Yitzak Sum has signed six low-key players since last season and starts with an unfamiliar line-up against Rosenborg next week. Nigerian-born Polish attacker Emmanuel Olisadebe is still on the mend after recurrent knee trouble.

Panathinaikos have traditionally been the best-performing Greek side in Europe. Last season, Sum's team waited until the final day to snatch the title from rivals Olympiakos prompting a a pitch invasion by their long-suffering fans.

COMENT: President Argiris Mitsou: "I have mixed feelings as it's not too difficult but nor is it so easy. Arsenal are the favourites because they are the best team in Europe. But if we play our best and the way we know how we'll qualify."

PSV EINDHOVEN (NETHERLANDS)

PSV, European Cup winners in 1988, have not progressed beyond the Champions League group stage in seven attempts -- a record they are keen to end.

But without Mateja Kezman, Arjen Robben and Ronald Waterreus, who all are playing in the English Premier League this season, PSV have been severely weakened.

Dutch international Philip Cocu and Brazilian defender Alex have been brought in while U.S. international DaMarcus Beasley has surprised everyone in a new role as a winger.

In their first five matches this season PSV scored 19 goals and qualified comfortably for the Champions League group stages after a 7-3 aggregate win over Red Star Belgrade.

COMMENT: Coach Guus Hiddink: "Arsenal are the only familiar opponents for PSV... It's a hard group to evaluate as we don't know much about Rosenborg or Panathinaikos. Rosenborg will be tough, difficult opponent. Arsenal are favourites and the other three teams will fight for second spot.

ROSENBORG TRONDHEIM (NORWAY)

Rosenborg continue to dominate Norwegian football and are back in the Champions League for the ninth time in 10 seasons hoping to do better than their bottom-place group seeding.

Heading for their 13th domestic league title in a row in the season which ends next month, Rosenborg have produced some upsets against Europe's top teams at home but their defence has often been too shaky to claim points abroad.

The club's grip on the domestic league has not slowed under Ola By Riise -- a former Rosenborg goalkeeper -- who took over after Age Hareide went to the national side a year ago.

Under Hareide, some Rosenborg players, including defender Vidar Riseth and attacking midfielder Frode Johnsen, have become regulars for Norway.

COMMENT: Coach Ola By Riise: "Although we're the underdogs, we're not afraid of anyone. There were tougher groups and from the spectators' point of view I'm sure many wanted an English team so they will be happy to see Arsenal. ...we are the bottom seeds, so the only way is up for us."