CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:ROMA-ARSENAL

Champions League Preview: Roma - Arsenal

Arsenal have a one-goal lead to protect, and will be looking to kill off the tie with an early away goal in Italy. Rome though will look to stifle the Gunners' play, and provide the Premier League side with a scare of their own.

Kick-Off: Wednesday March 11, 2009, 20.45 CET.
Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

Another third of the Anglo-Italian fixtures will be concluded on Wednesday evening as Arsenal take to Italy's capital with the ambition of securing progression to the quarter-final of the Champions League by virtue of protecting their single goal cushion.

Injury News

The north London side's supporters will be buoyed by the news that many key first team players will be fit and available for selection for Wednesday's clash.

Ivorian center-half Kolo Toure - who has shown glimpses of a return to his former best in past games having hurried opposition forwards into mistakes, relentlessly charging down his man in order to dispossess, and making assured challenges - has been confirmed by manager Arsene Wenger today to be ready to re-partner William Gallas in Arsenal's rearguard, completing a first choice back line.

Further up the field, Denilson and Samir Nasri were rested for the club's routine 3-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup, and will likely start the game, while clinical finisher Eduardo da Silva scored arguably his finest goal in red and white colors as he volleyed home a shot on Sunday that was as audacious as it was delicate. The 'Crozilian's' creativity in midfield was highlighted in the first leg against Roma as he split the Italian's defense with a curving pass early on, while his fox-in-the-boxing ability is without question.

Theo Walcott too made a return on Sunday, and could be a useful weapon as a super-substitute with 20 minutes to go as his pace alone can kill a game, as shown this time last year when an aging Milan team failed to keep up with his electric acceleration.

Injury Blues

The Giallorossi have been rocked by the news that Cicinho is sidelined for the rest of the season due to injuring his anterior cruciate ligament.

Their midfield could also be depleted due to the suspension of Daniele De Rossi, together with the doubtfulness of Simone Perrotta and David Pizarro.

Trequartista Francesco Totti's availability too remains a mystery as a problematic knee injury could keep the influential Italian forward at bay.

"We have to wait to evaluate the situation regarding Totti and the rest of the players,'' boss Luciano Spalletti coyly stated.

Tactical Views

Both teams will likely employ the formation that was witnessed during the opening leg; the 4-2-3-1.

Wenger may be tempted with a 4-4-2, now that he has two exquisite strikers available in van Persie and da Silva.

Both can play in a forward line that positions three flexible forwards behind a striker, as either can swap roles with the attacker occupying the deeper position, and this also allows Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott to play where they are most dangerous. The former can marvel in the No. 10 role, while the latter - if he starts - can trouble what could be a makeshift left sided defense.

However, Arsenal fully controlled affairs and a midfield partnership of Denilson - who perhaps put in his greatest breaking-up display while on Arsenal's books - and Abou Diaby, who box-to-boxed in great fashion, exerted their game onto the Romans and Daniele De Rossi barely had a sniff.

The tempo swung Roma's way when Chilean deep-lying playmaker David Pizarro was brought on late in the second half, and dominated Arsenal's substitute Alexandre Song.


FORM GUIDE

Roma

07 Mar 09 - Udinese (H) DREW 1-1 (League)
01 Mar 09 - Inter (A) DREW 3-3 (League)
24 Feb 09 - Arsenal (A) LOST 1-0 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Siena (H) WON 1-0 (League)
15 Feb 09 - Atalanta (A) LOST 3-0 (League)

Arsenal

08 Mar 09 - Burnley (H) WON 3-0 (Cup)
03 Mar 09 - WBA (A) WON 3-1 (League)
28 Feb 09 - Fulham (H) DREW 0-0 (League)
24 Feb 09 - Roma (H) WON 1-0 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Sunderland (H) DREW 0-0 (League)


TEAM NEWS

Roma

TBA

Probable Starting XI: TBA

Arsenal

Confirmed Squad: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Van Persie, Eduardo, Fabianski, Djourou, Ramsey, Vela, Bendtner, Diaby, Eboue.

Probable Starting XI: TBA


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roma - Doni:

With so many influential midfielders and attackers sidelined, it is imperative that Roma are strong at the back. Arsenal may start sprightly, and Doni will therefore need to be at his shot-stopping best in order to be equal to whatever the Gunners fire his way.

Arsenal - Eduardo da Silva:

The Croatian international has picked up as if he was never away. He bagged a brace on his initial comeback a few weeks ago, and grabbed Arsenal's second during their weekend win. If he embarks on an extended run of form then Premier League enthusiasts may be about to witness one of the most natural finishers of the football since Robbie Fowler.

PREDICTION

Roma 0-1 Arsenal