Arsenal v. Roma 1-0 (24/Feb/09)

Finally with all the fog of war dissipated and the waters still, the second round of the unofficial war between England and Italy for European glory took place today when Arsenal edged Roma at the Grove. Certainly the performance of English teams surpassed the expectations, with a tough game, while the Italinas featured at least three world cup champions on the pitch.

Even with this result the travel to the City of Light has become far more difficult. Arsenal tends to manage very well visiting matches on European soil, as with the likes of Real Madrid. We will see what the North Londoners can achieve in Europe after the failure to compete for a Champions League position on the English League.

Now after twenty days of no away game, the Gunners look at the prospects of beating Fulham in what will be another tough match considering the current state of affairs at the Emirates.

If Arsenal look forward to visit the Olympic Stadium at Roma, not once but twice this year, the confidence and determination of Wenger's men have to come to float in this, the toughest and most difficult part of the season. In the other side the return of Totti from injury in previous clashes and Brazilian Baptista, whose stay at London two seasons ago came unnoticed apart from the four-goal tally at Liverpool, were the main features for yesternight's match.







Finally Diaby's spell brought him to the pitch, and with his inclussion, the starting XI was the same. And it was the home team who provided many plays for Roma to worry; Bendtner's poor control at 6', Nasri 9' header and van Persie at 16th. With the match controlled by the strong and possessive grip of the North Londoners, Roma tried several times to bring a counter effectively. The curious thing was that Nasri played a very effective role on the loose central attacking midfielder position, the favorite one here at Deviations. With Bendtner wide and Diaby providing the strength in the midfield, Arsenal looked strong enough to seek the lead at 20'. All the possession and management was provided ny the physically overwhelming Abou Diaby, with a wide shot from him at 26'. If there was a way towards a lead was Arsenal's: Mexès clipped van Persie in the box, and eventually the Dutchman gave the lead to Arsenal at 35th. With the splendid show by the two French midfielders Arsenal kept the edge on possession. At 40' Arsenal's overwhelming presence proved their posibilities towards goal, with Nasri and Bendtner showing excellent pace. The first half finished with certain discontent on Emirates' stands; that is to say that if Arsenal could have capitalized their chances, the home side could have got a decent ad fairly adequate advantage, which eventually did not arrive.







Idiotically enough the second half was supposed to start without both Arsenal's centerhalf. Arsenal's efforts came until the 49th minute when van Persie shot went wide. Roma pressure went on for nearly ten minutes. By the 55' Bendtner had at least three opportunities to spread the lead but his untalented ball control betrayed him. If it had not been for Doni, Arsenal could have been three or four nil up, again with a shot by Diaby in the 56'. Arsenal had the momentum and with Roma all over the place the math began to sway towards the London side affections. Motta nullified Clichy's attempts to go forwards and while Nasri and Diaby managed to keep possession, again Bendtner dismal technique gave a lot to talk of. Again with the minutes passing Arsenal wasted so many chances that the cost of a goal in Roma should be deadly. Reaching the eighty minute mark Arsenal found no way to pass Roma, now more calmer than ever. The edge that Arsenal had in the first ten minutes of the second half vanished, as Aaron Ramsey entered at 82'.
Ramsey's efforts were not enough to call the keeper's attention. In the final minutes the home side appear to rise their efforts, but it did lead to anything. The match ended this way and with no further comment or news from other fronts.


In other results Chelsea gain a one-goal home lead against Juventus while Bayern München gave Sporting a thunderous shakeoff of five-nil. Nine-times winners Real Madrid lost in an exciting match against Liverpool and Porto draw with Atlético two goals. Utd graved a nil equalizing match at Milan, Villareal draw with Panathinaikos as FCB with Lyon, one goal both.


As Cesc Fábregas has pointed out, it might be even tougher to get into top four, as in 2005/2006 season, when fortunately enough the Hammers won over Spurs to give Arsenal the edge on the table. Although this scenario is not likely to repeat the tension of that season-finale and the European final are tantrums to mirror in late May.