Yet, he knows that the positive effect of a victory on his young team could be invaluable if the Gunners are to go on and achieve anything this season.

Arsenal lead Porto by two points and can wrap up first place with a draw against the Portuguese champions at the Dragao Stadium today.

That would guarantee Arsenal a second-round tie against one of the seven other group runners-up, with the second leg played at the Emirates Stadium.

But Wenger is not convinced that that is a good thing.

As things stand heading into the last round of group fixtures, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Villarreal could all finish second and go on to face the Gunners, so Wenger will not be getting carried away if his team finish first.

'It makes a difference to win the group because it makes you feel you have done your job better than to finish second,' said the Frenchman.

'Does it really make a difference in the outcome of the last-16 tie? I don't know.

'Maybe there is an advantage to play the second game at home, but if you look at all the groups, there is not a big difference between some teams finishing first or second.'

While Wenger will not lose much sleep if Arsenal do not finish top, he cannot ignore the benefits of what a victory can do for morale in the dressing room.

After their stunning triumph at Chelsea, Wenger's side once again spluttered against lesser opposition before scraping a win over Wigan last Saturday.

The lethargic, nervous nature of Arsenal's performance suggested Wenger's team still are not comfortable in matches where they are the favourites.

Nothing summed up Arsenal's fragile morale more than the sight of Emmanuel Eboue trooping despondently down the tunnel with howls of derision from the home fans ringing in his ears.

There were mitigating circumstances for his woeful display as the defender was playing out of position on the left wing after coming on as a substitute.

But, with injuries biting hard in the Gunners midfield - Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri are all injured - Wenger has no intention of taking Eboue out of the firing line against Porto.

'I think he will play on Wednesday,' Wenger said. 'Of course I will sit down with him and talk to him. I believe it could make him stronger and more determined to show how good he is.'

Injuries also mean Denilson, who currently partners Cesc Fabregas in centre midfield, continues his first XI run.

Said Denilson: 'I still have a strong belief in the team because now we have more focus, on the Premier League, on the Champions League, on everything.

'Arsenal have a young side, but it is one with experience and quality. When you watch us, it is fantastic, all one or two touches. I believe in this team.'

Porto, whom Arsenal beat 4-0 in their meeting at the Emirates in September, are keen for revenge at home.

Porto's Givanildo Viera de Souza told The Sun: 'We still have bad memories of our loss in London and want to get that out of our system. Our first challenge was to qualify, which has been achieved. But our goal now is to top the group.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE