Comparisons to the “Invincibles” of 2003-04 are premature, Arsène Wenger has said. They may also undersell the present team. The history-makers could only draw in Moscow and lost in Kiev that season, but last night Arsenal shook off the legacy of their previous Eastern European toils and became the first English team to beat Steaua Bucharest in Romania.

Arsenal followed up the 3-0 victory over Seville in their first Champions League group H match with a gritty performance that cemented their position at the top of the group. Steaua were pesky, though inferior, opponents, whose spirit belied the club’s off-field turbulence. Arsenal sail on, serene. “It says something about the focus of the team,” Wenger said. “We were very focused even though this was not the most glamorous of games. This team is hungry.”

And unfazed by the ownership debate. This was Arsenal’s ninth win in succession, but for the time being this crop remain the Incomparables.

“It’s too early to compare [to 2003-04],” Wenger said. “If we were at 38, 39 games I would say yes. Our challenge is, how long can we extend this run? How can we be inspired by that kind of consistency?” Next up, Sunderland at home. “Let’s go step by step,” Wenger said.

His Steaua counterpart would agree. The relationship between a manager and his paymaster is as hot a topic in Bucharest as it is at Chelsea. On Monday, Wenger described the connection between dugout and board-room as a marriage that needs firm ground rules if it is not to end in divorce. Nuptials at Steaua are apparently modelled on the love life of Elizabeth Taylor.

Massimo Pedrazzini, the club’s former conditioning guru, became Steaua’s eighth coach in five years two weeks ago when Gheorghe Hagi left after defeat by Slavia Prague. Hagi said that Gigi Becali, the owner, who has a reputation for interfering with team selection, “humiliated” him. Becali pledged to dismiss Pedrazzini if Steaua lost last night.

Last year, Becali was reported to have commissioned a remake of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper with himself as Christ and the Steaua squad as disciples. In the summer he vowed to fine players up to £20,000 if they showed “sad faces” and banned the playing of the Queen anthem We Will Rock You in the stadium on the basis that it was “devil’s music”.

The crowd generated their own noise yesterday, not least because the home team began promisingly. Several injury doubts had worried Wenger beforehand, but there was only one change from the Barclays Premiership victory away to West Ham United on Saturday, Emmanuel Eboué replacing Abou Diaby.

Alexander Hleb, who had been carried off on a stretcher at Upton Park, had completed a remarkable recovery from a bruised leg. He was brisk, as were Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, who had shaken off a thigh problem. Steaua were lively but unable to rival the sophistication of their opponents’ passing.

Five minutes before half-time, as Arsenal turned the screw, a contentious moment: Gaël Clichy’s left-wing cross was deflected goalwards and at least part of the ball looked to have crossed the line before Robinson Zapata, the goalkeeper, clawed it back. No goal was given. “One more call for technology,” Wenger said. “It’s unbelievable - I hope it will come soon.”

Arsenal struggled to maintain their rhythm after half-time, although Adebayor was a frequent pest to Steaua, who almost went ahead in the 57th minute. Manuel Almunia rushed out of his area to clear, but his header went to Nicolae Dica, on the edge of the centre circle, who lobbed the ball back over the goalkeeper’s head. Kolo Touré cleared just in time.

Steaua should have scored with 20 minutes remaining. The Arsenal offside trap or, arguably, the assistant referee’s judgment failed and Victoras Iacob, clean through, fluffed his shot.

The substitute’s miss was costly because five minutes later Arsenal took the lead. Adebayor crossed low, Cesc Fàbregas missed the ball, but Van Persie made perfect contact. “We were intelligent,” Wenger said. “Patience is linked with maturity.”

Home fans and team alike were deflated. The big screen began showing highlights from Manchester United’s game against AS Roma. A curious decision because Arsenal deserved everyone’s full attention.

Steaua Bucharest (4-1-3-1-1): R Zapata – P Marin, E Baciu, I Rada, I Emeghara – O Petre – B Nicolita, N Dica, R Surdu (sub: V Badoi, 85min) – A Neaga (sub: D Zaharia, 77) – V Badea (sub: V Iacob, 60). Substitutes not used: C Cernea, V Cristocea, M Nesu, M Croitoru. Booked: Marin, Rada.

Arsenal (4-4-1-1): M Almunia – B Sagna, K Touré, P Senderos, G Clichy – E Eboué (sub: Gilberto Silva, 74), M Flamini, F Fàbregas, A Hleb – R van Persie – E Adebayor. Substitutes not used: L Fabianski, A Diaby, L Diarra, Denilson, N Bendtner, T Walcott. Booked: Adebayor.

Referee: T Hauge (Norway).