Remember this?

By Boris Mellor
March 10 2009

What a squad, true Fabregas and Adebayor are still missing, and Arshavin is cup tied, but it's a long time since Wenger has had such riches at his disposal. He now has four real strikers to choose from, five if you include Walcott. RvP, Eduardo, Bendtner and Vela are all in the squad and what is more they have all scored recently in cup competitions.

By this time last season the Gunners were out of the FA Cup, but still in the CL, now they are still in both. Of course they have to at least draw with Roma, or not lose by two clear goals to qualify. Indeed if Arsenal can score one goal Roma will need three to win. Liverpool demonstrated last year how precious an away goal can be. Surely a team with Eduardo, Nasri, RvP, Bendtner and Vela can find one goal.

Wenger's Luxury

Roma will have to go for it, and they will need two goals without conceding, that being the case it's good to see that Gallas, Toure and Djourou are all fit. Indeed so well off is Wenger that he has the luxury of leaving the now fit Silvestre at home. It probably also demonstrates the confidence that Arsene now has in Gibbs.

It's half-time and Arsenal almost have the equivalent of a two goal lead, yes it could go wrong, they mustn't lose concentration. Last time they played at Roma it was 3-1 to the Arsenal and Henry was the toast of Italy. He was acclaimed for a brilliant hat trick, which included a fine free-kick. It was the beginning of Henry the superstar; let's hope that another Arsenal striker will seize the chance for such stardom. Mind you I would settle for 0-0 right now if it was on offer.

Roma have got to go for it, they will give Arsenal the space they need, and if Arsenal don't take it they could regret it. Before the first leg no pundit gave us a chance, well I don't want to tempt fate but quite clearly we do now have a very good chance indeed.

If Arsenal can win this, they could even have more players back (Fabregas and Ade) for the quarter final, and then Arsenal' ability to grind out a draw could suddenly become a plus if combined with the ability to score.

Arsenal squad for AS Roma
1 Manuel ALMUNIA
2 Abou DIABY
3 Bacary SAGNA
5 Kolo TOURE
8 Samir NASRI
9 EDUARDO
10 William GALLAS
11 Robin VAN PERSIE
12 Carlos VELA
14 Theo WALCOTT
15 DENILSON
16 Aaron RAMSEY
17 Alex SONG
20 Johan DJOUROU
21 Lukasz FABIANSKI
22 Gael CLICHY
26 Nicklas BENDTNER
27 Emmanuel EBOUE
40 Kieran GIBBS

The Cavalry Return - Wenger's New Luxury

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 10/03/2009 20:02

Arsenal Times
10/03/2009 20:02

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:12:20:18:51 by Padre Pio.

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Philly the kid
11/03/2009 10:30

Don't know whether to be surprised you forgot Rosicky exists or not?!!!

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karteta16
11/03/2009 11:19

Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

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AJ The Gunner
11/03/2009 14:12

its easy to forget rosicky exists but i so badly want that guy to play for us again.

i find it hard to imagine arsenal not scoring with eduardo in the team. arsenal will beat roma,i just know we will.

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Merlion96
11/03/2009 14:59

Rosicky is a bonus issue if he can play in April 2009.

But when all are fit by early-April, there will be an embarass of richness which will test Wenger's tactical acumen to the limit as to select players that can plaly together, and play the game to suit each and everyone of our opponents.

Squad iss till thin in April/May as the run-in starts on 18-April with a game every 3-4 days.

remember, every league game is a "must-win" now.

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