LONDON - Arsenal will take a slender 1-0 advantage over
Roma to the Olympic Stadium after Robin van Persie's penalty gave
them victory in the first leg of their Champions League, last 16
tie on Tuesday.
The livewire Dutchman was bundled over by French defender
Philippe Mexes after 37 minutes and got up to smash a low spot kick
past keeper Doni.
Roma, knocked out of the competition for the last two seasons by
Manchester United and with a dismal record in England, had a few
chances to pocket an away goal, but Arsenal should have built a
bigger lead.
Nicklas Bendtner wasted their best chance shortly after
halftime, blazing wastefully over the crossbar. Arsenal will hope
Togo international striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be fit to return
for what promises to be a tricky second leg.
"It's a regret," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters
when asked if his side should have killed off Roma. "I'm happy with
the performance but there was room to score more goals
tonight."
"The one positive, or not the only positive, is that we didn't
concede a goal and it puts us into a position where we cannot just
defend. We will want to attack and score goals over there."
After three consecutive 0-0 draws in the Premier League Arsenal
began with real purpose at the Emirates and threatened to blow Roma
away.
Without injured Cesc Fabregas in midfield, Samir Nasri took on
the responsibility of pulling Arsenal's strings and his speed
conjured an early chance for Bendtner.
Roma barely got out of their own half for 15 minutes but when
they did Marco Motta forced a fingertip save from Arsenal keeper
Manuel Almunia. Simone Loria then wasted a great chance for the
Giallorossi as Roma began to settle.
As halftime approached Arsenal's dominance was rewarded when
Bendtner played in van Persie on the left edge of the penalty area
and Mexes, who was having a torrid night, got the wrong side of the
Dutchman and committed a clumsy foul.
Van Persie confidently dispatched the penalty.
Arsenal began the second half in bizarre fashion as the game
kicked off with centre backs William Gallas and Kolo Toure still
walking down the tunnel, resulting in a yellow card for Toure.
On the restart the home side went for the kill, however, and had
chances to extend their lead. Bendtner should have finished off a
sweeping move and then Doni saved a low drive from Abou Diaby.
Arsenal's profligacy in front of goal continued when Emmanuel Eboue
shot wide after over-indulging.
The home side were almost made to pay when former Liverpool left
back John Arne Riise shaved the post with a fierce cross shot but
apart from a late flurry of pressure Roma were content to hang
on.
"It was a fair result," Roma manager Luciano Spalletti said.
"Their pace and intensity gave us a lot of difficulties but
everything will be different in the second match."