Wenger's open tactics

ARSENE WENGER has admited he finds the Champions League more enjoyable than the English top flight because there is less chance of the opposition turning up to defend.

His Arsenal side have struggled for goals in recent weeks, with Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Sunderland an example of the problems affecting Wenger’s team.

The continued injury absences of playmakers Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky, as well as the loss of strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Eduardo, have not helped the Gunners’ cause, but Wenger also believes his side have been stifled by unambitious opponents.

He is, though, confident that tonight’s match with Roma will be a more flowing game of football.

“You never know, but certainly in the Champions League teams have a more positive attitude than the teams who have come in the Premier League to the Emirates recently, but that would not be very difficult, I must say,” said Wenger.

“Usually the Champions League is more enjoyable, but more difficult as well. You feel like you play more on the edge. You feel if you make a mistake your opponent will take advantage of it, which is not always the case with a team who just defends.

“You can talk and talk and talk, but football becomes really exciting when both teams really try to play. You need to have two (attacking sides) to have a good game. You need two teams trying to play to have a good game.”

Wenger admits to being frustrated by the tactics of some of the sides who have held Arsenal domestically of late, but understands that it can be an important part of cup football.

“In our sport it is not always the team that takes the initiative that wins,” said Wenger. “In most other sports when you take initiative you are rewarded.

“In football, no. It makes it interesting as well, it makes cup results possible, when teams three or four divisions down still win games against teams who are better. That’s impossible in basketball, for example.”

Wenger is unable to call on Andrei Arshavin for the meeting with Roma due to his participation with Zenit St Petersburg earlier in the competition.

“We signed Arshavin for the championship and for the FA Cup, obviously not for the Champions League,” he said.