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UEFA Champions League knock-out battle
Roma can’t stop us - Adebayor
Arsenal’s Togolese striker, Emmanuel Adebayor is upbeat that the Seria A giant, AS Roma, their opponent in the knock-out stage of the prestigious UEFA Champions League, cannot be a stop to their ambition to rule Europe this season.
Despite their turbulent season, Adebayor is confident that Arsenal who will first confront Roma in the two legs affair at home in January can still surpass last edition quarter final elimination in the hands of fellow Premiership Leaguers, Liverpool and actually contest for the title.
The Gunners have been inconsistent domestically this campaign, with stunning victories over sides such as Manchester United often being overshadowed by calamitous displays at places like Stoke City. Arsene Wenger's men have struggled to find consistency, and haven't been helped by the off-field controversies created by William Gallas.
As far as the Champions League is concerned, the North London side has echoed their domestic inconsistency. Superb against Fenerbahce in Turkey, they struggled in Porto and ended up finishing second in Group G.
But Adebayor remains upbeat, and is certain that ‘the Gunners’ can go all the way.
When the player was asked if Arsenal could lift the European crown this season, he replied: "Why not?
"We were unlucky against Liverpool last season. We beat Fenerbahce in Turkey. This proves we can beat anyone. And the team that won in Milan (last season) is missing only one or two players now."
Arsenal last reached the final of the Champions League in 2006, when they were beaten by Barcelona in Paris. Last season, they were knocked out at the quarter-final stages after an exciting game with Liverpool.
This season though, Adebayor feels certain that his club can match anyone they face in Europe.
"The squad has changed in a good way. We have a good chance. We have the players that believe we can lift that trophy next year," he enthused.
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