Arsenal v AS Roma:THERE ARE obvious similarities between Arsenal and Roma ahead of their Champions League meeting tonight – both are relatively recent winners of their leagues who are now struggling to achieve even a top-four finish.

But while Arsenal are immersed in anxiety and unease, Roma arrived in London yesterday with undeniable confidence.

A 1-0 win over lowly Siena hardly seems the basis for great optimism, but Saturday’s victory at the Stadio Olimpico was significant for the home players.

Roma, who are sixth in Serie A, 16 points behind leaders Internazionale, were struggling against the side in 14th place and appeared to be heading for a disappointing draw until Rodrigo Taddei curled in a shot against his former club with half an hour left.

The result keeps Roma in the chase for a Champions League place and has given the squad a sense that they can go on again to eke out a victory at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

“My team showed a lot of character against Siena,” said Roma manager Luciano Spalletti. “The fighting spirit shown by my players is what could make the difference.”

This view was echoed by the club captain, Francesco Totti, immediately after the win in Rome: “This is a very important victory for us. Now we are going to London ready to play a fascinating encounter.”

Tonight’s visitors are further buoyed by the return from injury of Serbian striker Mirko Vucinic and the confirmation the Brazilian defender Juan is fit to face Arsenal, having picked up a knock on Saturday.

The Giallorossi’s influential midfielder Daniele de Rossi will have to play with caution, as a booking would mean he would miss the return leg in two weeks. But overall there will be little to fear.

Roma have already beaten Chelsea in this season’s Champions League and they subsequently finished ahead of the English side in the group stage. They will rate their chances of overcoming another London club.

There is also another huge incentive for Roma in this year’s competition – the final is being held at the Stadio Olimpico and home advantage could prove crucial, even if the last time Roma played a final in this tournament at their stadium, they lost – on penalties against Liverpool in 1984.

But before they start contemplating reaching the final, Roma must first overcome Arsenal. As well as the battle between the two sets of players there is also a tactical one to be fought between the managers. Most observers would back Arsene Wenger to succeed on this front, but Spalletti has many admirers.

The 49-year-old took over at Roma in 2005 having led Udinese to a fourth-place finish, and a year later, after taking his new team to a Serie A record 11 consecutive victories and back into the Champions League, he was voted the league’s manager of the season.

“The best (coach) of all is Spalletti,” said the West Ham United striker David Di Michele, who played under him at Udinese.

“I will put Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho on the same level. I have always had a good feeling about him. I think Roma have a little more momentum at the moment and so are favourites (against Arsenal).”

But Spalletti may be forced into a late reshuffle after Totti and Brazilian right-back Cicinho failed to complete training last night.

Totti appeared to be carrying a groin complaint, while Cicinho has been struggling with a knee injury.