Eurosport - Mon, 09 Mar 21:33:00 2009
Arsene Wenger has admitted Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor will miss Arsenal's Champions League tie with Roma on Wednesday but the Gunners manager hopes Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure will be fit.
Adebayor has been sidelined for a month after suffering a hamstring injury in the goalless Premier League draw with Tottenham and will not travel to Italy for the last 16 second leg clash as Arsenal try to hold onto their one-goal lead.
Although Toure missed Sunday's FA Cup victory over Burnley with a minor injury, Wenger believes he has a good chance of recovering in time.
"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," Wenger said.
Despite Adebayor's absence, Wenger will have more attacking options after Eduardo and Theo Walcott played against Burnley.
Eduardo marked his return from a hamstring injury with a superb goal, while England winger Walcott played the last 20 minutes in his first appearance since shoulder surgery in November.
Walcott admits he is not fit enough to start yet, but he hopes to make an impact from the substitutes bench in the Stadio Olympico.
"I need a few more training sessions, a few more games coming off the bench and hopefully if I am doing well the boss will put me in," Walcott said.
"I am just looking forward to another experience in Italy. In Arsenal training, you obviously dont want to injure your own players so you tend to be a little softer but matchdays are totally different.
"I still haven't experienced getting clattered yet so that's the next test but our new doctor has come from a rugby background. He has dealt with two dislocated shoulders a year and he said, touch wood, I'll be OK."
With Walcott and Eduardo and Cesc Fabregas set to return by the start of April, Arsenal are approaching full strength again at a crucial stage of the season.
The Gunners are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they face Hull for the right to play Chelsea in the last four, and are only three points behind Aston Villa in the battle for a top four finish in the Premier League.
"I believe everyone at this club is a big player but the more there are in the squad it boosts the fans which is very important. As soon as we have got these players back, hopefully we will be flying," he said.
"We haven't really lost that many games, we have just drawn a few. I am going to try and give something back to the team and try and push for those Champions League spots.
"We are not going to get too ahead of ourselves. But if we play football like we did against Burnley we can beat anyone."
Captain Francesco Totti should be able play even though his knee still hurts after an injury.
"Francesco will try and train with (the rest of) the squad tomorrow, even though he'll feel pain," Vito Scala, Totti's personal fitness coach, said.
"It's normal to feel pain at this stage. I'm optimistic because I know Francesco and I'm sure he'll grit his teeth and take to the field on Wednesday."
But right-back Cicinho will miss the clash in Rome with a knee injury.
The attack-minded wide defender came on as a substitute in the 1-1 weekend draw with Udinese and picked up the problem, which looks set to end his season.
Comment 1 - 11 of 31
mmkskkks
the roma is the lazy club for arsenal defender of the results is not a problem i thin so i,am from albania
Good luck to Arsenal all true footy fans hope you prevail in Rome,Best of luck !!
Liverpool fan
Good luck to Arseval all true footy fans hope you prevail in Rome,Best of luck !!
Liverpool fan
i think arsenal are just too strong going forward for roma. we have so much pace up front now but this time we need to take our chances.
OVER FOR ROMA
The injection of Theo wallcott and Eduardo Da Silva into the gunners squard has alot to expect. Imagine at this stage last season, Arsenal were going to SanSiro to meet the then glofied AC MILAN who had held gunners to a draw at the Emirates, what happened not only gave arsenal home but also sent milan to oblivion.Lotuliangelech Domolima, Kapenguria.
Here,This Game Just Got Easier for Arsenal!!!!!!! UP TEH GUNNERS!
the same way and manner that a certain depleted Arsenal team that went all the way to the final in Paris against the best club side in the world Baca at a time would definately repeat history this time clinching the title. all gunners followers knows that injury to our major players has lead us down, but i think everyone is coming back at the nick of time.
With Eduardo and Walcott back, Nasri playing well, Vela getting better and better, and Robin Van Persie, Arsenal will not sit on their one goal lead! It will be an open attacking game, and I am sure the Arsenal will get the away goal. If this happens Roma will need three goals to win, and seeing that Arsenal have kept nine clean sheets in their last thirteen games, you must fancy Arsenals chances of going through. Come on the Gunners!
Roma problems has just started
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