Come On – Let's Get It On
Apr 1st, 2008 by 'holic
My first European Cup quarter-final was thirty-six years ago when I was at Highbury to see an Ajax side knock us out courtesy of George Graham’s misdirected attempt to find Bob Wilson. The feeling of utter desolation never left me.
Further exits at the hands of Valencia and Chelsea were just as hard to bear, so the triumph over Patrick Vieira and his Juventus side two years ago made for a wonderful experience. Nothing will be resolved at the Grove on Wednesday, but a home defeat would reignite painful memories.
Arsene Wenger appeared on Arsenal TV to calm my nerves. “We have no new injuries from the weekend”. He also made a point of mentioning that Gilberto was fit to return, although I would imagine only to the bench at best?
I would not be surprised to see just one change from the win at Bolton, with Emmanuel Adebayor surely returning at the expense of Nicklas Bendtner. I would go further and play Theo Walcott ahead of Abou Diaby on the left, but that is highly unlikely. I also hope Arsene refrains from bringing Emmanuel Eboue into the back four at the expense of Philippe Senderos.
I have an hour between leaving work and getting on the train tomorrow lunchtime. That’s just long enough to plant the ‘holic pound on a good old-fashioned 1-0 to the Arsenal. I don’t mind admitting though if I get in the ground to find Toure and Gallas paired at the back I’ll be tempted to have a back-up pound on 1-1.
So that’s it. Let’s get on with it. I suspect sleep will be fitful at best tonight. If you are going too can I just ask you sing your lungs out for the boys. It’s the one thing we can do to help. To those of you not so fortunate, be careful. Good televisions cost money!
7 Responses to “Come On – Let's Get It On”
This is the moment of truth as AW so aptly put it. It will be a defining moment with regard to the rest of the season and his focus on pretty soccer.As groves has put it the fans wants winning soccer.It has been thepretty soccer and passing frenzy which i believe has caused the season to flutter.This allied to the thin squad which Aw has refused to address is another reason.
I can’t wait for the moment of truth to arrive .You can be assured Liverpool aint going to give time and space for the gunners. They will be at a premium.
Let’s hope Arsenal give a creditable performance despite the bookie’s odds and other anti Arsenal sources.Rafa will have taken note of how Bolton hit Arsenal on the break. This is my greatest fear that the gunners put the opposition under great pressure but are unable to score due to over elaboration.
This is when the oppposition can strike.You may may create the greater number of chances and have greater possession but at the end of the day the goals win matches.I don’t care how they are scored. It can be a tap in or ricocheted off someons’ buttocks.
AAAAAAhhhhhh. Im properly savouring the prospect of meeting Liverpool in the C/L. There are a few reasons, one because I think that the games will be excellent, proper technical ability on show on both teams, two because Liverpool is a great club, steeped in Europen cup history, these are the games that make history, the ones you remember…….. Lets be honest Beshiktas or Shalke 04 or some other European minnow doesnt get the blood flowing does it? A giant of the competition just like Milan in the last round however does. We want to be the worlds greatest club, we want to make a history at our new stadium to savour, and games like this are what its all about. If we manage to keep a clean sheet, and in my opinion its a bloody big if, Ill be very happy. Ive got a terrible feeling that this may be sorted out by the “away goal” and Im damn sure I want it to be OUR away goal.
Lets hope that Eboue warms the bench at best and Theo gets and takes his big chance. I Hope Big Phill playes, hes come a long way this season, and I for one am eating my words about that boy at the moment……guess im in good company on that score though.
Ive got a sneeky feeling for a 2 -0 win for us. Van persie and Ade me thinks. That may seem incredably optimistic and it isnt based on anything other that a strange (probably bias and unrealistic) but none the less strong feeling. Im then left thinking even with that would I be confident before the return leg at Anfield…….? MAybe not you know, they have a terrible habit of finding a special performance when they need one in this competetion dont they????
Christ I cant wait, im like a child on christmas eve……. as the man says “lets get it on”!!!!!!
The Spy’s given you a nice bit of praise in the Gooner this month Holic. I say frame it!
The Spy has been going a long time Dutch. He was always there thirty years ago when I was going to every game, home and away. I’ve said before, you may not always agree with him, but he has earned the right to an opinion.
And I’m going to buy a sackful tonight!
I rarely agree with him, but he’s a fookin entertaining read. A bit like arseblogger. Though the Spy did retract some of his Walcott criticisms in this issue and fair play for that. Arseblogger would renounce Guinness before he admitted that Gallas might have done something good.
I hope Arsene knows what he’s doing because I dont! can senderos cope with Torres’ pace if we are defending on the half way line? Is Eboue good enough to play in midfield? Can Toure play at right back?can walcott play 90 minutes effectively? is it better to use Hleb in the hole than on the wing?
I am getting so nervous now.
Right so,fighting,gunners!!uh-huh,it won’t cost my money but it will cost my sleep and lessons cos the game will start at 2:45 am here .whatever,come on lads!!