Arsenal were changing up the gears and Bendtner found himself in the left channel a minute later, he crossed outside of the right foot for Nasri who was sliding in but couldn’t connect with the ball

Match Review – Arsenal 1 Roma 0 – Champions League

There is always something special about Champions League nights, it brings out the fight in this Arsenal team. Many supporters were worried about what Arsenal team would turn up on Tuesday night. A side that hasn’t scored a goal in their last four matches had to adopt to the biggest club competition in world football.

Arsenal like to store big performances in a tank that is kept tucked away in Wenger’s office and is wheeled out before the tough fixtures.

As Roma have had an inconsistent seasons , almost mirrored with Arsenal’s campaign so far and have been on a very good run of late were in confident mood evident by the pre match comments from manager and players. Arsenal as ever were quietly going about their business. The team have had back bone of late but have either had trouble in creating chances or finishing chances as displayed against Sunderland on the weekend.

Abou Diaby was drafted into the team in place of Alex Song which I must admit surprised me. I thought that Wenger would have played 5 across midfield with Van Persie on his own upfront. In many ways he did adapt this formation but not in the way that many thought.

Bendtner played on the left wing with Nasri playing in a role behind Van Persie with Emmanuel Eboue playing on the right wing.

It proved to be a masterstroke from the boss as Arsenal dominated possession from the first whistle.

Arsenal had the first chance of the game, and what a chance it could have been. Nasri cleverly made a run in the right hand channel which was found by Sagna and the Frenchman looked up and cut a low cross back to Bendtner who was standing unmarked inside the penalty area, unfortunately Bendtner’s first touch was very heavy and the ball ran away from him and the danger was cleared. An instant touch could have seen him slot it past the defenders and goalkeeper.

“Why can’t we score that early goal!” I screamed at my mate. Why can’t we take the pressure of ourselves by converting nice and early.

It was ok though, the tempo from the start was correct, the players were hunting in packs and looked to have urgency about their game, We will not be easily beaten I thought to myself.

The opening 10 minutes was very bright, Denilson was continuing his terrific form of running around like a man possessed and winning tackles, then finding the right pass. Diaby looked like he hadn’t been away, side stepping through opponents and causing trouble in the final third.

Nasri could not quite reach a fizzed cross from Gael Clichy in the 9th minute.

Roma looked neat and tidy on the ball when the managed to get it back from a committed Arsenal side and very nearly scored with their first chance. The ball was worked across the pitch to the marauding fullback Motta who hit a fabulous shot from an angle which Almunia tipped over the bar. The shot was heading for the top corner. My mate alerted me to former Arsenal legend Ian Wright calling our keeper a clown in a recent column. I still find it weird that he is being criticised by so many even though he has regularly saved us time and time again this season. It is as if he is making continuous mistakes that I have missed during every game.

Emmanuel Eboue was looking very dangerous in possession and brought fantastic drive and dribbling ability to the Arsenal team. His final ball was lacking that edge but his overall play was a great outlet to the team.

Another player who was showing his full capability was Samir Nasri playing in his favourite role. He was a totally different player to the one we saw against Sunderland. He was the player who bridged the team together, gave us that extra layer across the pitch.

On Saturday the midfield were too far away from the strikers to make enough of an impact, that one player in between the strikers and midfielders improves our level of football by a fair margin. We saw it last season with Alex Hleb, when the team were not gelling and lacked fluidity, Wenger switched Hleb in that same role and it transformed the game.

Roma were having trouble picking up Nasri and it allowed the likes of Eboue and Bendtner to switch places with him during the game and it worked wonders.

Diaby floated a ball into the path of Van Persie very similar to the pass that he presented to Van Persie against Everton for the equaliser but Van Persie could not quite get his shot off. It was ok because RVP would get his goal a few minutes later. Van Persie found room in the box and was fouled from behind by Mexes.

Van Persie dusted himself down ignored all the attempts to put him off from the Roma players and fired in a low kick into the right corner of the net. 1-0!! Our first goal for 4 games.

Bendtner could have doubled the lead almost a minute later but his effort was cleared away at the near post. De Rossi picked up a yellow card in the 42nd minute, which means the defensive midfielder will miss the return in Rome.

A very positive first half, many great displays from the boys in the red and white but the second goal would be very helpful, especially at the rate of chances being spurned.

No changes for the second half in both personnel and formation. Arsenal were effectively playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with both fullbacks given more freedom than they have had of late.

Kolo Toure picked up a bizarre booking for coming out late for the second half and running onto the pitch without being told he could do so by the officials. Very strange.

Bendtner had a fantastic chance to double the lead in the 53rd minute, Eboue once again done very well on the right and played the ball to Van Persie who couldn’t get his shot away, the ball broke to Bendtner who had time to steady himself but he panicked and fired high over the crossbar. Bendtner is certainly playing like he needs a goal. He is rushing chances and being hasty with his finishing. Bendtner has shown in pre season and early in the season that he is a good finisher but confidence is harming his game right now.

Arsenal were changing up the gears and Bendtner found himself in the left channel a minute later, he crossed outside of the right foot for Nasri who was sliding in but couldn’t connect with the ball.

Abou Diaby who was having a sensational return to first team football fired in a left foot shot after turning away from the Roma defence in the 55th minute. It was attack against defence, and for once we were not faced with a team that wanted to park the bus, we forced their driver park up and turn the engine off.

Former Liverpool left sided player John Arne Riise drove a low shot just wide of Almunia frame midway through the second half. In truth Roma did not have much in the way of clear cut chances during the game. Totti was being kept very quiet by Toure and Gallas who once again impressed.

Emmanuel Eboue should have wrapped up the game on the 66th minute. Loria the Roma defender missed the high ball and it fell kindly to Eboue. He dribbled around the defender and faced with the keeper slashed the ball wide of the near post. All he needed to do was side foot it past him for the second goal.

Eduardo needs to sit down with a few players and teach them the art of composure. Carlos Vela replaced Bendtner to give the side a little more balance.

The game ended 1-0 to the Arsenal but we know it should have been more. At least the team have produced yet another clean sheet, and we know that we can create chances.

Top gun is a difficult one as they were so many candidates, but when you think about the quality of the midfield on show, a young 21 year old ran the show from start to finish. Denilson helped Arsenal maintain a strangle hold of the game and take the game to Roma.

Lets hope that Denilson and the rest can finish the job in two weeks time.