Club 18 Or 30 Head for Portugal
Dec 9th, 2008 by 'holic
A very brief preview of the trip to Porto for the final Champions League qualifier. Those who impressed most in the Carling Cup victories over Sheffield United and Wigan could be given a taste of European action. The squad announced today comes from the two ends of the spectrum of experience at the club.
Those who fear that a predominantly young side will be Champions League fodder would do well to cast their minds back ten years when Arsenal sent a similar squad to face Panathinaikos in the final group stage fixture. A side that included a young Matthew Upson, David Grondin, Paulo Vernazza, Chris Wreh , and Alberto Mendez (yes, really) triumphed 3-1.
Whilst I am sure that Arsene Wenger will have no qualms about including two or three of the youngsters, he will have thought long and hard before starting with Emmanuel Eboue. There is no doubt in my mind that the travelling Gooners will get behind the player in Portugal. It may be good for him, and Arsenal, if he gets a confidence-boosting performance under his belt away from the bearpit that was the Grove on Saturday.
The ‘holic pound, gratefully grabbed by the bookie nearly every game and rarely returned, is being aimed at a novelty bet. Aaron Ramsey to score at any time is a tempting 11/2. Remember you heard it here first.
Those who are going endured some nervous moments as the nonsense evolved at Stansted yesterday. All is well again so they should have no problems with their flights now. If you are reading, a nice bottle of vintage port would be most acceptable, ta!
FA Youth Cup
A quick word too for the rest of the Young Guns who were not on the plane to Portugal. They travel to face Aston Villa in a very tough FA Youth Cup contest at the same time. I have had the good fortune to see the Youth teams at first hand this season, and there is no doubt there is another rich seam of talent being prepared, possibly for next seasons Carling Cup side. Good luck to them.
14 Responses to “Club 18 Or 30 Head for Portugal”
I’ll have a glass of cheeky red, please ‘holic. Merely to celebrate the purchase of two tickets to the Plymouth game.
Aha, you will miss my birthday celebration the following week, Snaily one.
🙁
We did debate the Bolton game… but the romance of the cup was more attractive.
have a good trip all of you going to porto, see some of you out there. COME ON ARSENAL
Wouldn’t it be great to see a mixed team of young and old take Porto to the cleaners? I think Eboue will get a start, especially when you see who has not made the trip. Could be an interesting night.
Up the Gunners.
Bye ‘holic.
vela and merida will be brilliant and a big help to translate any porto communication on the pitch.
tonight’s taste is Santa Rita 120 Cabernet.
cheers holic nad all here
sorry tampa_arsefan… but vela and merida are spanish.. not portuguese, although both languages have some similar words. Come on Arsenal!
I bliv the young guns,especially those that excelled in the league cup would hav a point 2 prove here. Vela,merida,simpson and ramsey wud hav a gud day. Up gunners!
The young players should relish the chance for redemption after going down to Burnley.
A win in Porto tonight will be welcome, but I think we well end up drawing 2-2.
I shall be at Bolton ‘holic. Get ’em in!
RE FA Youth Cup: As long as Bartley deals with Delfouneso we’ll be fine.
I think Porto’ll clobber us tonight.
Big up da ‘uths.
What a fucking shambles that was. The 2nd half was a spoor as I have ever seen….