Adebayor out for Arsenal

But Toure could return from injury to face Roma

Last updated: 9th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Adebayor out for Arsenal

Adebayor: Not ready to return

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Arsene Wenger has ruled Emmanuel Adebayor out of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League tie with Roma, but hopes Kolo Toure will be fit.

Adebayor has not featured for the Gunners for the past month after suffering a hamstring injury in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Togo striker will not be fit to feature in the second leg of the last 16 clash with Roma on Wednesday, although Theo Walcott and Eduardo are expected to be in the squad.

Toure is also likely to be involved in Italy after the defender missed Sunday's FA Cup victory over Burnley with a minor injury.

Extreme desire

"Adebayor definitely won't be able to play, but I will wait to see what the report is on Kolo before I decide what my starting XI will be," said Wenger.

"We are going into this game against Roma with belief and extreme desire to progress.

"The positive is we didn't concede at home. We know we cannot only go there and defend. We want at every opportunity to attack and try to score.

"Of course, there are many big competitors left in the Champions League. Let's see what happens on Wednesday.

"I haven't decided on my starting team yet, but Theo Walcott and Eduardo have a good chance of being in the squad."

Arsenal lead 1-0 going into the second leg and Wenger confirmed his team will adopt a positive approach at the Stadio Olimpico, where the Champions League final will be staged in May.

Big pressure

He added: "We need to go to Roma and play our own game. It's very important for us to focus on scoring and going forward.

"They are a very good team offensively so if we allow them to spend 90 per cent of the time doing what they like to do, we will expose ourselves.

"Let's go there and focus on dictating the game. I think it's part of the personality of the team - so let's show exactly that.

"We are not far from the latter stages of the competition and that is where the winning attitude becomes tested.

"The pressure becomes bigger and bigger the more you progress.

"It is down to how we can respond to that pressure - and of course I have the confidence in the team to do very well."