Source: SKY_Sports
Russian roulette
Arsenal 0-0 SunderlandSoccer Saturday analysis[LNB] Matt Le Tissier was left wondering whether a lack of creativity will cost Arsenal dearly in the Champions League.[LNB]The Gunners are already suffering domestically with the draw with Sunderland - their third straight goalless game in the Premier League - leaving them six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.[LNB]Arsene Wenger's side dominated possession but, said Le Tissier, it was a far cry from the not too distant past when Arsenal would cut through sides, even if they had come to The Emirates to defend with 10 men.[LNB]And that could be a major worry on Tuesday when they face AS Roma in the knockouts stages of the Champions League.[LNB]"I would be a little bit concerned," Le Tissier told Soccer Saturday. [LNB]"Andrey Arshavin isn't eligible for the midweek game so they are really going to struggle for creativity. Denilson and Song in midfield never really played any penetrating forward passes for the whole 90 minutes.[LNB]"They are going to need something more than that to break down Roma.[LNB]"It was only really late in the second half that they had a few shots on goal and they weren't really what you'd call clear-cut chances, shots from 20 yards. [LNB]"It was not the normal Arsenal where they'd be cutting teams apart, threading passes through. This was a real struggle for them."[LNB]One man who did offer some hope for the near future though was recent signing Arshavin.[LNB]The Russia international was the liveliest performer in a first half which saw Sunderland defend stoutly, yet the home side still create several decent chances.[LNB]The best of them saw Robin Van Persie lob just wide and Nicklas Bendtner's header well saved by Marton Fulop, while Arshavin himself could have had a debut double.[LNB]"He played an hour - that was obviously the plan from the off - and just ran out of steam," said Le Tissier.[LNB]"In the first half you could see he is a quality player; he had two decent efforts, a right-footed shot from 25 yards that went inches wide of the post and he then showed he is a two-footed with a left-foot shot that forced (Marton) Fulop into a good save.[LNB]"Every time he got the ball he looked dangerous and he always tried to be positive with it. I think when he's fully fit he is going to be a big addition to that Arsenal team."[LNB]
