Arsenal FC

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Adebayor out of Roma clash

09 Mar 2009 - 08:26:45

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Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been ruled out of the Champions League clash against AS Roma because of a hamstring injury.

The Togo international has been sidelined for the last month with the problem and is still some way short of match-fitness, according to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

However, Wenger hopes to have Kolo Toure Theo Walcott and Eduardo in his squad.

"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," said Wenger.

"We are going into this game against Roma with belief and extreme desire to progress.

"The positive is we didn't concede at home. We know we cannot only go there and defend. We want at every opportunity to attack and try to score.

"I haven't decided on my starting team yet, but Theo Walcott and Eduardo have a good chance of being in the squad."

Arsenal lead 1-0 going into the second leg and Wenger is confident his side can finish off the job in the Stadio Olimpico, adding: "We need to go to Roma and play our own game. It's very important for us to focus on scoring and going forward.

"They are a very good team offensively so, if we allow them to spend 90 per cent of the time doing what they like to do, we will expose ourselves.

"Let's go there and focus on dictating the game. I think it is part of the personality of the team - so let's show exactly that.

"We are not far from the latter stages of the competition and that is where the winning attitude becomes tested.

"The pressure becomes bigger and bigger the more you progress. It is down to how we can respond to that pressure - and of course I have the confidence in the team to do very well."