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, who they visit next.

While a victory in Holland could assure that Arsenal qualify, victories in Europe are what they seem to find 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. That is the main thing. 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 last night and 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.”

The perception is that the wind has been blown from their sails by the draw to Panathinaikos in Athens, when they twice lost the lead, and the Premiership defeat to Manchester United.

That ended their record-breaking run and, the Carling Cup aside when Arsene Wenger fielded a second team, was followed with a 2-2 draw against Southampton.

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 still in our own hands in every competition. I am not too worried.

“We should be able to pass through to the next stage of the Champions League. We have still got a home game here.

“We have a lot of confidence going to Eindhoven.”