it’ll be Vela or Eboue on the wing opposite Nasri. I know who I’d prefer, but I know who Wenger will select. Other than that it’s probably the same team that stumbled to a draw against Sunderland

So a third successive goalless draw (only the fifth time under Arsene’s management that we’ve failed to score in three successive league games, a fourth against Fulham would be a personal best) leaves us six points off fourth spot and seventeen off the top. Points wise we’re closer to sixth place than we are to fourth, and closer to tenth place than we are to first. It’s now looking like the only way the Grove is seeing Champions League football next season is to win the it, so Tuesday is a good place to start. It’s important to win the first leg as it would be nice not to have to go to Italy needing a win, our form away from home has hardly been barnstorming this season. Our knack of not conceding goals of late could come in handy too, to not concede any away goals would be an advantage.

Roma are currently in sixth place in Serie A. Seven of the eight games they’ve lost in the league this season have been away from home, but in the Champions League group stage they won two of their three away matches, and finished above Chelsea in their group. They’ve won four of their last six league games. In recent history in the Champions League they’ve only made it past the second phase twice, getting knocked out by Manchester United in the quarter finals the last two seasons in a row. They’ve lost their last three games on English soil, including a 7-1 defeat in 2007 at Old Trafford. Our last trip to Rome was lit up by a Thierry Henry hattrick in a 3-1 victory in the second group stage of the Champions League in 2002, the home tie resulted in a 1-1 draw with Totti receiving a red card.

Team News

Despite Theo saying that he’s seeing a shoulder specialist on Tuesday and if he gets the green light he’s OK to play straight away, Wenger has said we should expect him back in about two weeks time. Not entirely sure why the large difference in estimation, but we’ll probably see him in the squad for the FA Cup game against Burnley, if not sooner. The most recent estimation of Cesc’s return is four to six weeks, which is unfortunate. Rosicky could be back in the squad before him *gasps*. Eduardo should be back for the trip to West Brom at the start of March.

With Arshavin ineligible in the Champions League, it’ll be Vela or Eboue on the wing opposite Nasri. I know who I’d prefer, but I know who Wenger will select. Other than that it’s probably the same team that stumbled to a draw against Sunderland, unless the knock Clichy was withdrawn from that game for is serious enough to keep him out of the squad on Tuesday. Diaby will be back in the squad, whether he’ll come straight back into the team is down to Arsene. He could even play on one of the flanks in Arshavin’s absence.

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Ramsey, Diaby, Wilshere, Vela.

Baptista could be set to play against us for the first time since his ill fated loan move from Madrid. Apparent ex-Arsenal transfer targets Aquilani and (a bit more old school) Philipe Mexes should play. Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta return from injury to be a part of the squad, but Juan and Cicinho are doubts. So is Totti, but I’m sure he’ll play. I’m pretty much guessing at their shape and team selection, I don’t really know much about Roma. That’s just the sort of committed effort I put into these previews.