SEVILLE - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his in-form side can go one better than 2006 and get their hands on the Champions League trophy this season.
The Gunners came within touching distance of being crowned European champions for the first time 18 months ago - falling just short only when beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in the 2005/06 final.
The north London outfit may have lost the likes of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole since then - but Wenger is convinced the current crop of players have what it takes to go all the way.
Asked why he feels Arsenal can succeed this time, Wenger said: "Because we want it ... because we have more experience.
"I have always been a great believer in this group, even when everybody said that I was crazy.
"I believe in the players I have and I am very pleased with their attitude."
Wenger, whose team are unbeaten in both Europe and the Barclays Premier League so far this season, admits there are a number of other clubs with the right credentials
"We are one of the teams who can win it," he said.
"But there are between six and 10 teams in Europe who can win it, because this is a cup competition - and you need to go into the knockout stages in good shape."
One of the clubs Wenger feels could be challenging for the big prize next May are group opponents Sevilla.
The Spanish side have been one of the top clubs in Europe over the last few years, winning five trophies - including back-to-back UEFA Cups.
It has been a different story so far this season, though, with the Andalusians suffering seven defeats in their opening 12 Primera Liga matches and seeing coach Juande Ramos move to Arsenal's arch rivals Tottenham.
Now under the guidance of Manolo Jimenez, Sevilla have lost their last two league matches and find themselves a massive 14 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Fortunately for Sevilla, that poor domestic form has not been replicated in Europe - and they go into Tuesday night's match at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan just a point behind Arsenal, with three wins from four Group H matches.
Combine that success with their dominance in the UEFA Cup over the last two years, and it easy to see why Wenger believes Sevilla could be a major threat in the Champions League.
"They are among the six to 10 teams who can reach the final," said Wenger, who also expects Sevilla will be out for revenge following their 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the opening round of matches.
"They will want to do their best, because they are playing in front of their home crowd," he reasons.
"They had two bad results in the championship and will certainly want to show that they are a very good side. They will also be bearing in mind that we beat them in London and will want to come back with a better performance.
"I still think Sevilla are a very good side. We took advantage of the mistakes they made in the first game - but if you look at the statistics of the game it was very even possession-wise. We were a bit sharper than them on the night.
"But I still think this is a team who can find their way again, and be a danger for the final and to win it in the end. For me, they are one of the potential winners."
Arsenal go into the match as the leading scorers in both the Premier League and the Champions League group stages, but their firepower will be put to the test against Sevilla - with Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor both absent.
However, Wenger, who has already confirmed young Dane Nicklas Bendtner will start up front, does not foresee any problems.
"I always believe in the players who play, and do not worry too much about the players who are not here," said the Frenchman.
"If I choose a player it is because I believe in them."
