Arsenal Can Land The Gamble In Milan
Mar 3rd, 2008 by 'holic
Ask me at the start of every season what one trophy you want to win this season, and I will tell you the Premiership trophy, no question. Give me tonight a guarantee that we will land one prize in May and I will plump for the same title. Yet if you were to ask my biggest disappointments as an Arsenal supporter I’ll give you the European Final defeats in Brussels and Paris.
There can be no doubt about the worst feeling of them all. Two years ago it is probably fair to say that we as supporters regarded the side that embarked on the Champions League campaign as, at best, the least experienced we had fielded under Arsene Wenger. A combination of injuries and goodness knows what else reduced our strength even further.
Astonishingly, with Mathieu Flamini at left-back and a young Philippe Senderos at centre-half for much of the campaign we went all the way. Reduced to ten men we had the nerve to take the lead against Barcelona and came within thirteen minutes of lifting the one trophy to avoid Arsenal down the years. Lots of what-if’s remain in the memory.
I say all this because we are about to meet our strongest challenge since that night. In Milan we have to score to stand a chance of knocking out the reigning champions. This season do we not, once again, have the least experienced side we have ever set out to conquer a continent with?
It’s a special night in prospect because although the domestic title will always be the priority in the short term, I have seen Arsenal lift every trophy in the flesh apart from ‘old big ears’. The European Cup is now something of a ‘holy grail’, and if I only get my allotted three score years and ten on this mortal coil then I have less than twenty years left to witness it.
We need to score. It’s that simple. A score draw will be enough. Not as satisfying as an away win, but do you really think I will give a monkeys about that? In that respect it is fantastic to see the name Robin van Persie back on the squad list. He may only be on the bench but he is an option we need in the San Siro, if only for the psychological lift it will give everybody to have him there, especially as Kolo Toure has not recovered in time.
The starting line-up will not be much different from the eleven who started on Saturday. I would not be surprised to see Eboue preferred to Walcott but otherwise we are likely to be unchanged. We will need to demonstrate a fine balance between disciplined defending and pacey counter-attacking, something that was beyond Manchester United as they were brushed aside by Milan last season.
Can we do it? Certainly. Will we do it? Hopefully. The ‘holic pound will have to be guided by my heart, rather than my head, and it will be joined by a few of its mates on a 1-1 draw. Sixes do not seem generous odds to be punting against the holders in front of their own supporters. Those odds are a clear signal that the layers think we have every chance of pulling off the shock.
I hope they are right!
9 Responses to “Arsenal Can Land The Gamble In Milan”
I hope so too! Very inspiring post ‘holic.
I for one need some football happiness from my beloved gunners. it has been very painful as of late going into work to take the gip from the so called man u fans who by the way only watch 20% of games per season but like to talk.
I think we’ll do it we thrive as under dogs hence our prem poistion and our champs final 2 years ago. we’ll win and maybe with a bigger score line than most think – if we win i’m taking the day off work as i will be drunk as a wine o come the end of the night. COME ON ARSENAL
IN WENGER WE TRUST
the team will be
almunia
sanga gallas senderos clichy
gilberto
aboue flamini cesc hleb
adebayor
milan are playing 2 up front with kaka in the hole behind and id say gilberto will play to fill that space
simple and beautifully, 1-0 to the arsenal.
Odds definitely better than on you winning the Euromillions ! 😉
Keep up the good work.
Well I have never been here before….;-)
I want a 1-0 win for us tonight and I’ve got a good feeling…
Great post Holic, I am very excited about tonight. Happy you shared me sentiments about Crooks, he is an absolute disgrace.
Arsenal skipper William Gallas has told Theo Walcott he needs to change if he wants to have more of an impact. (Sun)
Cry, beat the ground, shout uncontrollably at his fellow playes..
Pot Kettle Black comes to mind..
I think you will lose your pound..this time a tough hill to climb
Well I was right you lost your pound (Oh bugger)