Wenger warns Arsenal not to underestimate Roma

December 19, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal players there will be no margin for error when they face Roma in the Champions League second round.

Wenger’s side will play the Italian team at home in the first leg on Feburary 24 before travelling to the Stadio Olimpico for the return on March 11.

With tournament favourites Barcelona avoided, the Gunners manager knows his side have a winnable tie.

Yet memories of last season’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Liverpool, when Arsenal were just five minutes from going through before defensive lapses cost them dearly, will prevent Wenger from underestimating Roma.

"Of course we have a great chance of winning the competition, like any team at that level," Wenger said.

"But now the Champions League becomes a different competition, like a cup competition. If you miss five minutes of the 180, you are out."

Wenger knows Roma are one of the better teams in Serie A and, while he is confident of Arsenal’s progress, he expects his defence to be given a tough time.

"Roma are back to form now and maybe are the best team in Italy at the moment so it will be interesting," he said.

"Roma are a very balanced team with their play-maker (Francesco) Totti and around him they have players like (Daniele) De Rossi, (Alberto) Aquilani, (Simone) Perrotta, (Rodrigo) Taddei and Julia Baptista, who we had here.

"They are all very technical players who are comfortable in a small space. They are a team where you want to defend very well.

"The fact the final will be in Rome means they have an incentive to fight in the second leg."

Meanwhile, Wenger insists the latest power struggles in the corridors of power at the Emirates Stadium will have no effect on him.

Majority shareholder Lady Bracewell-Smith, who owns a 15.9 percent stake in Arsenal, was this week voted out of her position on the board following a disagreement over Arsenal’s future direction.

The boardroom changes have reignited speculation Arsenal may be set for a takeover, given Bracewell-Smith – who described the turn of events as "appalling" – is now no longer subject to the director’s lockdown agreement designed to fend off any potential hostile bids.

Uzbek minerals magnate Alisher Usmanov, who controls a 24 percent holding, is one interested party sure to be keeping a keen eye on developments.

But Wenger is focusing on Sunday’s must-win clash against Liverpool as he tries to keep Arsenal in the title race.

"It has no impact on me, what is happening there. I do not know really what is behind that, but it is a bit like what is happening inside the dressing room – you talk as little as you can about it," Wenger said.

"What is important in a football club is the directors do not speak about technique and that I do not speak about shares.

"Will it have an impact on the future of the club? I do not think so.

"I know Nina Bracewell-Smith, and she did a good job when she was on the board. What were the deep reasons why she left? I do not really know."

Written by: AFP

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