“You would tend to say ‘the same again’ but that still means a lot of effort. It may look easy but only because the players put a lot of effort in,” he said.

“It is easy for me though as the players have a great spirit. It’s a pleasure to manage them because of the quality and the mental stature of the team.”

Victory in Auxerre would effectively secure Arsenal’s place in the second group stage with nine points from three games, although they would probably need one further point just to make sure.

But while the Gunners are also breaking new domestic records of goalscoring and unbeaten runs,

Wenger is not concerned that his players could get too carried away with their own publicity.

“I am very lucky as I have intelligent players. They have won big things already and have received a lot of praise at a young age,” he added.

“They know how difficult it is to win trophies and that is why I’m not scared that they could lose their heads. It’s important that they get the praise they deserve now but they know that is fragile.

“Real champions want to repeat their success. That is what separates them from other human beings. I’m convinced that the team are still hungry for a lot more.”

Auxerre are currently top of the French league but have just one point from their opening two Champions League games – a goalless draw at home to PSV and a 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

Wenger believes there are similarities between his own team and Auxerre, principally in terms of pace, although he feels that Arsenal attempt to dominate games more.

The Gunners could, meanwhile, be boosted by the likely absence through injury of emerging French international striker Djibril Cisse.

Wenger is a confirmed admirer of Cisse’s rich potential and insists that the 20-year-old should use Arsenal striker Thierry Henry as a role model.

He believes that Henry is a perfect example, not only with his talent but also his attitude, in declaring last night that he would be willing – like Patrick Vieira – to sacrifice greater wages elsewhere for more success with Arsenal.

Henry revealed: “As long as Arsenal want me, I’ll never walk away from the team. Sometimes you must sacrifice things for the sake of the team and I will do that.

“You could earn more at another club but be on the bench or not enjoying yourself on the pitch, and not being with people who really care about you.”

Wenger added: “I have known Thierry since he was 17 at Monaco but every season since he’s been at Arsenal he has improved and this year he has done so more than ever before.

“He’s now a complete player – he can score goals, make goals and is a great influence on the team.

“He’s just a fantastic player and, what is even better, I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet as he is still only 25.”

Wenger, who is without Martin Keown, Dennis Bergkamp and Ray Parlour tonight through injury, also paid a fulsome tribute to Auxerre coach Guy Roux.

Roux, 63, became coach of Auxerre in 1961, when they were a non-league club and John F Kennedy was the youngest president of the United States.

However, he has since painstakingly transformed them into title-winners in 1996 and now European contenders, while bringing through Eric Cantona in the meantime.

Wenger declared: “He is a man of one club. When he took over, they were a non-league club and it’s a small city, so to bring them up into the Champions League, he has worked magic.

“Some people feel he has a handicap as he’s never proved he is adaptable, but I believe he should have managed France at some point.”