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Where are the goals? Yes, this is the very first question that I had to face this morning from a fellow Arsenal fan on my way to office right in the middle of the morning rush hour! I just had no answer to give at that very moment. Not because I was getting late for my office but I could not believe my ears as the question was directed at a side which never had problems going forward under Arsene Wenger over the last decade yet the lack of goals in the league this season has perplexed even the most die hard fans of one of Europe’s free scoring sides.

Well, we got one on Tuesday night against Roma but could have won by a bigger margin had the team boasted of the talents of 2004. The goal drought at the Emirates is just a question of confidence and for some reasons the players that are being provided with the responsibility of getting on the score sheet are lacking the instincts to finish off fluent moves which are in abundance in any game featuring the Gunners.

Last few matches both in the league and domestic cup competitions have shown that the young Gunners are trying too much to win games right from the word go when clearly patience is the key. Against Roma on Tuesday evening in the Champions League last-16 first leg at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger’s boys played a flawless game yet due to some wayward finishing the scoreline read 1-0 when easily it could have been 2-0 or even 3-0 and this narrow escape gives the Romans plenty of hope ahead of a final showdown at the Olympic stadium in two weeks’ time between the two sides.

A missed opportunity no doubt for the Gunners and this was probably the same thing that was conveyed at the post match conference by the Roma coach Luciano Spalletti who clearly looked a relieved manager after suffering a one goal reverse. Spalletti, in no uncertain words, said, “They (Arsenal) were different to what I had seen from them recently, lots of pace, running and intensity. I think we have the same chance to go through as them, maybe 51 percent to 49 percent in their favour.” One thing for sure Spalletti thinks the home factor inside the Olympic stadium would count more than ever this time round as the Italians would look to destroy Arsenal’s season once and for all.

Robin Van Persie was brilliant on the night as the Dutchman created mayhem in the Roma backline on a number of occasions. Undoubtedly, it was a vastly improved Arsenal as we got to see the flashes of an old Gunners side playing with a lot of energy and optimism. Samir Nasri led the midfield like a general upfront and the tall Niclas Bendtner, though wasteful, was a nuisance for the AS Roma backline.

Although this is a welcome win for the North London side after three league games finishing in goalless draws, Arsene Wenger provided a mixed emotion at the end of the game ruing the chances that came his team’s way to finish off Roma’s Champions League adventure. If the Gunners get out of the competition in two weeks’ from now, one would have to look back at a couple of second half instances inside the Emirates stadium. Firstly, Niclas Bendtner’s shocking eight-yard misfiring and secondly Emmanuel Eboue’s lack of decision making when provided with a golden opportunity in front of the Italians’ goal.

The Cote Di’ Voire international had a troubled time at north London recently and the latest miss won’t improve the situation as he was spot on to increase his team’s lead in the second period but for no reason chose to move on his right hand side in front of heavy traffic rather than. It’s again a case of lack of patience and discipline in front of the opposing goal. Wenger’s press conference said it all. The Frenchman was quoted as saying, “That is the regret we have tonight. I’m happy with our performance but there was room to score more goals- we know we can create chances. One of the positives is we didn’t concede a goal. It’s put us in a position where we know we need to attack over there. If we score once that should be enough.”

When asked about his side’s missed opportunities in front of goal, the professor said, “We lack maybe a bit of spontaneity because we want to do so well.” Well, one thing’s for sure in two weeks time Arsene Wenger would keep his fingers crossed to welcome Emmanuel Adebayor and Eduardo back into the team from their respective injuries and the presence of these two massive talents in the Rome-bound flight could mean half the battle won for the Gunners. Folks get set for a thrilling finale to the latest Anglo-Italian clash on Italian soil.