We must focus on our own style, says Riise

FORMER Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has warned his Roma team-mates not to be pre-occupied with playing an English style of football against Arsenal tonight.

The Serie A side face the Gunners in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie but Riise, who played for seven years at Anfield, insists his Premier League experience may not be a defining factor in the match. Instead, he has called on the Giallorossi to focus on their natural game.

“There is no need for me to tell the players how to do things or what to do,” said the Norwegian.

“I’ve played in England before and I know the English style of football but it is important that we play the Roma style of football.

“If we do that we are good enough to win but if we are to do that we need to be at our best because Arsenal are a strong team.’’

Riise believes Arsenal represent a stern challenge despite a dip in form this season which has seen them reduced from title contenders to battling to make the top four.

He concedes the Emirate is a difficult place to play but expects both teams to rise to the occasion.

“This is a fantastic place to play, a fantastic stadium and so we have to enjoy it,” he said. “We should not be scared or think it is against us. We must enjoy it and I think the players are looking forward to it.

“People say they (Arsenal) have had a bad time but I’ve seen a few games and they play fantastic football, they have great technical players.

“They are a fantastic team and it will be a difficult game. These are two teams that like to play football and if we do that it will be a good game.”

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, meanwhile, is confident his side have what it takes to overcome their poor recent form in England, where they have not won in their last five visits, losing four.

“We have often lost when we have come to England but the statistics are not important,” he said.

Spalletti welcomes back Juan and Cicinho after they were passed fit for the trip having suffered knocks in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Siena.

Spalletti also welcomes back top scorer Mirko Vucinic, who missed last weekend’s clash with a knee injury, while midfielder Alberto Aquilani has travelled to England having shaken off a muscle problem.

In addition, Roma will have midfield duo Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta available. Both players are fully rested having served one-match bans on Saturday.

The Italians go into the encounter at the Emirates stadium in buoyant mood after Rodrigo Taddei’s winner against Siena got them back on the winning trail following the 3-0 debacle at Atalanta that marked their first defeat of 2009.