ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger feels his squad are maturing into a team capable of winning major honours.

The Gunners can make it nine straight wins in all competitions against Steaua Bucharest tonight.

The Frenchman said: "We've matured a little bit and play a bit more efficiently now. It's like the life of your team: they start enthusiastic and after that they go to a level where there is a good balance between being efficient but still playing - then they go to a level where they are only efficient."

His opposite number, Massimo Pedrazzini, in the job less than a month, is under severe pressure. Owner Gigi Becali said: "If we lose, Pedrazzini is sacked."