Roma coach Luciano Spalletti admits Arsenal were a trickier prospect than he envisaged in Tuesday's Champions League clash at the Emirates.
Arsenal triumphed 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie thanks to a Robin van Persie penalty in the first half and had a plethora of chances to extend their advantage.
With the Gunners having drawn their past four Premier League encounters and Roma going from strength to strength in Serie A it was expected to be a closer tie and Spalletti admits his men were somewhat surprised.
"It was a difficult game," he said. "They were very good.
"I didn't like much of what I saw in the first half," he continued. "I liked more in the second half. I liked our character then.
"In the second half we showed a completely different intention.
"At these type of grounds, in these type of competitions, you can't try to hide. You take on responsibility or you fail and get a huge slap in the face.
"As a result, the team tried more in the second half in my opinion, created some good chances. We didn't finish them off but at least they were there."
Spalletti envisages a very different tie at the Stadio Olimpico in just under a fortnight's time although he admits the Gunners will be slight favourites to progress.
"We found them different to what was predicted. They showed that they were in very good physical condition."
At times Roma were barely in the match in the first half but the Italian side put on a much better performance after the break.
And Spalletti has urged his players to demonstrate that kind of character if they are to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
"They have a little bit more chance of going through because they scored a goal," he said. "But it will be a completely different game so we can still qualify.
"In the second leg we need to create more opportunities and keep the ball sometimes because otherwise it will be very difficult. We didn't do as well as we know we can here."
Roma's chances of progressing will be hampered by the enforced absence of Daniele De Rossi, who will be suspended for the second leg after picking up a booking for a reckless challenge on Samir Nasri at the end of the first half.
Spalletti admits it is a blow to be without his midfield anchorman but insists they can still beat the north London side.
He added: "It's always upsetting to lose a player, especially someone with the weight of Daniele.
"But it's obvious that we have to take on board the responsibility and go through even without De Rossi."
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