Wenger expects open game

Arsenal boss relishing Roma tie

Last updated: 22nd February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger expects open game

Wenger: Ready for Roma

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Arsene Wenger is looking forward to a different challenge when Arsenal face Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

The Gunners have been held to goalless draws in their last three Premier League outings but Wenger expects a more open game against the Italians.

Arsenal will hope to take an advantage into the second leg at Stadio Olimpico next month but Wenger thinks Roma will also be positive.

"I don't believe Roma will come for a goalless draw," said the French tactician.

"They will play in an Italian way, catch us on the break because they know an away goal will give them a good chance.

"We will have to have a spot-on defensive performance and score goals against them."

Wenger has been frustrated by the defensive tactics of some Premier League teams in recent weeks and was not happy after the clash with Sunderland on Saturday.

Balance

He is nevertheless confident his men will rediscover their cutting edge over the final three months of the campaign.

He said: "It is an interesting challenge. In the first part of the season we conceded too many goals and scored high. In the second half of the season, we do not concede anymore, but we do not score.

"So in the final part of the season the challenge is to find a balance between being solid defensively and good attacking.

"I am not critical of Sunderland. We have to deal with that because that is what everybody does to us.

"They gave us a problem. We have to be good enough to deal with it.

"We want to be even more determined to punish teams who refuse to play.

"I do not know whether it is becoming psychological. It looks like there's no common reason, but we had the chances against Sunderland - it was down to inches and their goalkeeper.

"I cannot fault the spirit and I believe we have to keep that as a strength and the rest will come."