Wenger fears price of misses

A first-half penalty from Robin van Persie gave the Gunners a slender advantage to take back to Italy in a fortnight's time, but the trip to the Stadio Olimpico should have been academic given the number of clear opportunities created by the Gunners.

"There was room to score more. We lack maybe a bit of spontaneity because we want to do so well," said the Arsenal manager, whose side are now unbeaten in 14 games. "That is the regret we have - I am happy with our performance, but of course there was room to score more goals."

He added: "We know we need to attack over there. If we score once that should be enough."

Both Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue were guilty of not putting the ball in the back of the net when given a clean sight of goal as Arsenal continued to show a lack of composure which has seen them fail to score in any of their last three Barclays Premier League games.

Wenger, though, knows the job is only half done.

"The next game will of course be an interesting one because they will throw much more forward," said the Arsenal boss. "We have three more games between this tie and the second leg. At the speed we lose players it can be a difficulty for us."

The second half opened in farcical fashion as Roma kicked off when Arsenal only had nine men on the field. William Gallas and Kolo Toure eventually dashed out from the tunnel, with the Ivory Coast defender running straight onto the pitch - and he was promptly booked by Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen for entering the field of play without permission.

Wenger revealed: "It's explainable by the fact that Kolo always goes out last. He waited for William, but didn't know William had treatment. He didn't know the game had started without them. He was putting on his boots.

"I don't know if it is superstition. It is our fault. You have to be ready when the bell rings."