AS Roma v Arsenal Preview

Ever willing to please the readership, this one is for you courtesy of Frank’s Biggest Fan:

Respect

A couple of those in Rome this evening would not go amiss. In fact, I do not care which of the player’s anatomy the ball enters the Roma net via, so long as Arsenal progress. The media have been salivating over the two English teams passing into the ether of the quarter-final stages, Arsenal reduced to the status of ‘English team most likely to be knocked out‘, despite a double-digit unbeaten run and only four goals conceded in the fourteen games since Villa fought back from a two-goal deficit on Boxing Day.

For the first time in many months, Wenger has genuine tactical options within the squad following the return of Eduardo and Walcott. The recent minor injury to Kolo Toure has healed and I would expect him to return to the centre of the defence at the expense of Johan Djourou. The squad named yesterday offers the chance to attack with pace, even if Walcott does not start. To be honest,  I would rather see him introduced with half an hour to go to scare the living bejesus out of tiring Roman defenders.

It will most likely though be a counter-attacking five man midfield that starts. A magical attacking performance such as the one in Turkey earlier this season would be most welcome. Wenger commented:

It is a night for the team to stand up more than any individual. I believe in a shared leadership and we have many leaders. I believe more in that than in one leader sorting everything out. At the start of the season, the hangover from last season was still there but since November, things have changed. We can grind out results more and this is a good opportunity to show that. The team has grown together and gelled well in the last three months, under extreme pressure.

He has called this “a defining moment” for the squad. For me, the win over WBA was the moment that the season took on that quality. Progress tonight and a win on Saturday leaves the team in the Quarter-Finals of both knockout tournaments, coupled with fourth place in the Premier League, achieved with influential players still to return in the coming weeks. The pressure told last season, inexperience killing off a title challenge. To show the lessons have been learnt, well EnglandNewOrder can take up the reins:

Now is the time, Let everyone see
You never give up, Thats how it should be
Dont get caught, Make your own play
Express yourself, Dont give it away

The crucial area will be midfield. With Arshavin cup-tied, Eboue seems likely to revert to the right side. In the middle, I would personally go for Denilson and Diaby; Song has done little wrong but Wenger has said in the past that Diaby was his vision of a long-term replacement for Vieira. Having been withdrawn with half an hour to go on Sunday, it would be little surprise to see the Frenchman start ahead of Song.

I would expect the team to be:

Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy; Eboue, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri; van Persie, Eduardo

With a bench of:

Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Song, Ramsey, Bendtner, Vela

A crucial match every time the team plays for the remainder of the season. Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.