Bergkamp confident Gunners can regain winning groove

DENNIS BERGKAMP believes Arsenal need to “take more risks” if they are to start killing off Champions League opposition and bring an end to their frustrating run of results.

For the third time in as many European games Arsenal threw away a lead on Tuesday night as Panathinaikos secured a draw from their trip to Highbury.

The result leaves Arsenal with just one victory from four games and lying in a perilous situation three points behind Group E leaders PSV Eindhoven, where they visit next.

While a victory in Holland could assure that Arsenal qualify, they seem to find wins in Europe hardest to come by. And defeat, or even a draw, would leave Arsenal vulnerable, with Panathinaikos able to move back above them by defeating Rosenborg in Norway.

“I think we shouldn’t be afraid to take more risks,” said Bergkamp.

“We should be able to look forward more and just try to find our game again because we are capable of doing it. We know we can play football, it is just a matter of time until it comes back.”

Arsenal’s famed attacking edge was strangely blunt in midweek as Panathinaikos arrived at Highbury intent on sitting deep and creating very little, the fare was poor.

Thierry Henry swept home a 16th-minute penalty but Arsenal could not forge a second to seal the win and were punished when Loukas Vyntra’s long-range effort was deflected in off Pascal Cygan’s head.

The breathtaking majesty with which Arsenal swept to a 49-game unbeaten run in the Premiership was missing and Bergkamp has urged his team-mates to break out of their shells.

“We don’t seem to get into our game. That is hard to believe sometimes, but it is true,” said Bergkamp.

“It is not one bad game and then we have got it again. It will take a little bit of time, but soon we will be able to get out of this.”

Bergkamp, though, is confident Arsenal have the quality to play their way out of trouble and is looking forward to the month ahead, which includes London derbies against Crystal Palace and Tottenham plus visits to Eindhoven and Liverpool.

“It is what we want, those important games. We will cope with it, I’m sure,” he said.

“We are still in a great position, it is in our own hands in every competition. I am not too worried. There is too much quality to worry about ourselves.

“We should be able to pass through to the next stage of the Champions League. We have a lot of confidence going to Eindhoven.”