Timing right for Arsenal to enjoy a Roma conquest

Arsenal are a dangerous team, especially away from home, and they arrive in Italy at a time when Roma are in pretty poor shape. This, allied to their 1-0 lead from the first leg, makes them favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

In Italy, Arsenal do not carry the same prestige as Manchester United, Liverpool, or Chelsea, but given what they have achieved against our sides in the Champions League over the last seven years, they should be respected and admired.

They beat AC Milan at this stage of the competition last season, and have also defeated Inter, Juventus and Roma in Italy in this competition. In the last couple of months, they have hit form and now look a very difficult team to play. Being away from home will suit their style.

It is a relief that neither Emmanuel Adebayor nor Cesc Fabregas will be fit to play. If Adebayor were in the team, Roma would have no chance, but without him, Arsenal are not as strong in front of goal. One of their weaknesses is that they seem to miss a lot of chances, as they did in the first leg.

If Roma go on the attack from the beginning, this will play into Arsenal's hands, so I expect them to play a waiting game which will make life a little more difficult for Arsene Wenger's men. It is absolutely crucial that Roma are patient, otherwise Arsenal will just pick them off on the break.

Wenger has a lot of support in Italy, especially among the coaches who admire what he has achieved. But there is no way he would have still been in a job had he been at an Italian club and failed to win a trophy since 2005.