We're On Our Way
Mar 17th, 2010 by 'holic
Apologies for the brevity of what is likely to follow. St Patrick could not have envisaged on his deathbed 1517 years ago the extent to which he would become an excuse to get completely and utterly bladdered!
Through narrow slits for eyes I have watched the most competitive of tonights games as the last sixteen of the Champions League was resolved. Someone you may or may not have heard of, one Marouane Chamakh, finally settled the nerves in Bordeaux as les Girondins accounted for our friends, Olympiakos.
I must confess the celebrations started a little early for me after Chelsea crashed out last night. The bus stop in Fulham joined Real Madrid on the scrapheap of this seasons competition. Money can buy a lot of things in the short term, but then…
Manchester City, look and learn. You can’t buy class or history.
Now I am not usually one of lifes conspiracy theorists, but I would not be at all surprised if the draw on Friday were to keep Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Internazionale apart. That would give us a fifty-fifty chance of a quarter-final against French opponents, either Bordeaux or Lyon.
CSKA Moscow, the great unknown, would also be a possibility and provide an interesting angle for lazy journalists with Andrey Arshavin in our ranks. I have a sneaking suspicion though that we will pull Bayern Munich out of the hat. Don’t ask me why. It probably owes a great deal to the gallon of Guinness and jug full of whiskey that is currently navigating my veins, and will prove to be nonsense. Or will it?
I wonder if I could get the ‘holic pound on it?
93 Responses to “We're On Our Way”
glass of milk please barman! kid needs to sleep.
Everybody but Bayern please! Against Fiorentina you saw what happens when you play Bayern. It’s gonna be Liverpool 07/08 all over again!
I’d prefer Barcelona as we have to beat them anyway if we want to win it. That way we can at least play at home and give TH14 a warm welcome!
chamakh will be lethal for us.
his movement and hold up play is exceptional.. and will only improve under wenger.
I JUST WANT MAN UTD OUT,I DONT WANT TO PLAY THEM AT ALL
Don’t care who it is. Just bring it!!
Wow how about Inter booting Chelski out, how about Dog’ba getting the boot as well and seeing Terry le’ Ferry whine like a little bitch, I think of a saying that Kirk Gibson made famous during the 1988 World Series (MLB) “How Sweet it is!!” Now it’s all to do for us to move on, Holic I know you think we will get Bayern and you maybe correct, but I have the sneakiest feeling that we will pull Barcalona out of the cap, I have been saying it and feeling it since both us & them made the next round, I just know it’ll be Barca; bring on Zlatan and his band of merry men….. I said this on another blog (sorry holic, loves yours the best) but does this season remind you of the 1997-1998 season when come Christmas we were dead and buried, and I believe 13 pts out in the begining of April, and then we turned it on and caught up…..I recall I believe the Everton match at Highbury when our captain Tony Adams was put through (can’t recall by whom) and slotted the ball in the corner of the goal, again “How sweet it is!!!” This season has reminded me so much of that season, I mean the down, rejected feeling of being so far out of the title hunt/race, then a pure belief set in after a few solid victories up north and we were on our way, man what a season that was, a double winning season at that, this could be a double winner as well, the Prem and the Champs Leauge…. Sorry to have rambled on, and on Holic I never post this much, never, but again I’m excited about the prospects of what is unfolding at the big “E”….Up The Arsenal Y’all………….
I’d take anyone but Barca or United. I’d like to have RVP back before we se off either of those two, anyone else we’ll smash with what we’ve got!
I have a feeling we are going to draw Barcelona. No way to explain why, it’s just a feeling.
It would be a refreshing change to the Anti Football of Biggus Dickus, Allardyce etc but not sure our young team are quite ready to go the Camp Nou and win.
Anyway, anyone but Man Utd, for now.
on our top game we can beat anyone!, including barca and manure
Just because everyone else is having a look in the crystal ball.. I suspect we will get Bordeaux. Chamakh would then provide ample opportunity for lazy journalism (is there any other kind?).
Let’s face it – if we want to win the Champions League, we have to beat 3 of the remaining 8 teams. We have a strong team, in good form. We should fear noone! That being said I would prefer us to not draw Barca, ManU or the Mourinho side this round.. more chance by the next round that RVP could be back!
let’s hope we draw Bordeaux so we can see chamakh up close at the emerites
I am amazed at all of this speculation. Quite frankly I go not give a rat’s ase who we draw. We are The Arsenal. None of those left will be wanting to draw us????? And quite right too.
Bring it on. That’s what I say.
‘holic-trust the thing that is circulating in your vein now!
since the last round, i have been feeling that we will play bayern at some point in this competition. we both felt it thus it must be on this round!
manur vs cska moscow
barca vs bordeaux
inter vc lyon
arsenal vs bayern
Amen, Stevie T…
‘Holic, I amazed a learned man of your station would dain to speculate on upcoming opponents. I don’t care who we draw. We’re on our way (not to Wembley) to Madridia, and it is time for the members of the BBB [ala BtM] to get on the Gunners train! All aboard!!!
‘Holic, glad to hear you spent a pleasant St. Patrick’s Day. It sounds like you did it the right way. I’m not sure you should lay the ‘holic pound yet though. Impaired judgement should be avoided in these cases, but let’s hear it for lazy journalism present company included!
Does it really matter who we draw ,if we`re going to win it we have to bite the bullet sometime.
Steve, I dont think other teams will be fancying us, but there are 4 teams I think we would do well to avoid – those being Utd, Barca, Inter and CSKA.
For obvious reasons!
I dont think there is an easy game in the QFs but the above 4 are the toughest.
No- leave ManU till next round-they are supremely confident of beating us at the moment and that is worth at least a goal start to them- lets wait after they have played a few more tough games.
We could also do without Bayern at the moment. Leave a war until the semis. Inter and Bayern would be good.
Morning ‘holic and guys
Regarding RVP the only way I would expect him to play for us this season is if we crash and burn. Robin is always a slow starter (as he was this year) and remember, he is not even back in training yet – he’s still recuperating in Holland. If, God willing, we are competitive right to the end, it will be because NB52, Theo, Shava, Sami et al have been doing the business. In that case you don’t disturb a winning team, even if Holland want him warmed up for the world cup. I expect Robin back in an Arsenal shirt for the first time again pre-season.
I’m already tingling at the thought of the pre match rituals and then 5.30 on Saturday at the Grove. let’s keep 100% focused on one game at a time and, whatever the CL draw brings, focus on our pearly King and Queen neighbours on Saturday.
I watched the Bordeaux game last night and whilst Gourcoff will get a lot of plaudits, you can see why Wenger wants Chamakh – he is constantly on the move, always available for a pass, and plays a one touch pass under pressure which pretty much found its target all of the time showing great team awareness. He was involved in almost everything good last night. After missing a glorious opportunity (you could argue it was the pitch rather than his touch) he didnt let that get to hiim and in scoring the second goal, he showed massive desire. You got to say as a player he seems to be somewhere between VP and NB. If we have signed him then, with the chances created by the Arsenal midfield, I think we have one very very useful player.
Love the blog!!
We get Bordeaux. The second leg goes to penalties.
Chamakh steps up and _____ ? More Uefa controversy.
“I have a sneaking suspicion though that we will pull Bayern Munich out of the hat”
I’ve had that same feeling since we hammered Porto and they scraped past Fiorentina. Here’s my prediction for tomorrow:
Arsenal vs Bayern
Man Utd vs Barcelona
Inter vs Lyon
Bordeaux vs CSKA Moscow
You heard it here first!
Like I have said yesterday I would want to play against anyone but Barca and maybe Man U for now.
The rest are definitely beatable.
Everyone is beatable on our day. I believe even at 4th gear. Gunners should have no doubt in mind and just play freely.
I was also thinking we’d get Bayern, ‘holic.
Can of Irn-Bru please.
i want us to PLAYYYY MANU why are we scared who do dey tink dey are by the way. LET’S PLAY MAN U.
@Steve T
I agree with you, I dont give a monkeys who we get. If we want to win this we will have to beat the best in Europe it is that simple. What order we play these teams is errelavant, to win it you will come up against ManU,Barca or Inter. So what dose it matter if we get them now or the semi. We all want to see a classic game of football so bring on Barca, why should we be worried about any of these teams ? Arsenal have THE best record in this competition for going through so they should be scared of US !
mAN U IS ALL I WANT WHO DO THEY THINK DEY ARE AM NOT SCARED
People may not care who we get, but it’s not because in order to win the CL we have to beat the ‘best’ in Europe … that’s a fallacy.
Still, it’s going to be one of the more interesting draws in recent years.
First of all, ManU and Barca are only scary if Rooney and Messi are fit. So, isn’t it time the injury thing balanced itself out like it’s supposed to?
That said, Arsenal being drawn against either is going to be of ‘final’ magnitude.
And yet how sweet would ManU and Barca being drawn together be? If Barca rolled Ferguson over, it could well be his final season. If ManU edged it, then the chances of Arsenal winning the whole thing would look ever more prosperous.
Alternatively, but equally important would be to see Barca and ManU – together – in the opposite side of the draw for the semi-finals.
CSKA, Inter, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Bayern Munich are all tough, but very, very, doable. To be truthful … Inter would be one of those “team defining” ties with getting one over Mourinho the bit of cherry icing on the cake on the elephants on the turtle …
Top half of the draw: ManU v Barca and Inter v Bayern;
Bottom half: Arsenal v Bordeaux, Lyon v CSKA.
Now, if that were the outcome …
In the end tomorrow’s draw is one of those random events where it pays to be lucky. Who’s it going to be?
In the cold light of day that was a lazy post too, but trust me, the state I was in last night that is one of the literary wonders of the world. ๐
Bring on whoever it is…
All right then. Let’s see the ‘holic pound focused squarely where it should be: on the outcome of our game against West Ham. Another season-decider but this one at home.
Watched the Bordeaux match (I watch as much of Ligue 1 as I can so I’ve been watching Bordeaux regularly for about 5 seasons now–I also watch Serie A and La Liga regularly, so my comments on Inter are informed, unlike some others around here).
Chamakh’s header was superb. Quite enjoyed the game. Chamakh doesn’t score a lot of goals, he’s not a prolific striker. But he’s an excellent link-up man, comes up with game winning goals, works incredibly hard, and has a fantastic attitude.
The only team I don’t want is Lyon. Why?
Because of the Real Madrid “curse.” They were eliminated by Lyon.
Real Madrid last won the CL in 2002. Since then, it is their fate in the CL that decides who ultimately wins the competition.
Look at the progression of the tournament once Madrid are eliminated since 2002. One of two things happen: the club that eliminates RMadrid is eliminated by the club that goes on to win the trophy. Or the club that eliminates RMadrid is eliminated by the club that is eliminated by the ultimate winner.
So:
2001-02 CL finalists
Real Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
CL 2002-03
Semifinal: Real Madrid eliminated by Juventus 3-4 aggregate
Final: AC Milan defeat Juventus 3-2 on penalties
CL 2003-04
Quarterfinal: Real Madrid eliminated by Monaco 5-5 (away goals)
Semifinal: Monaco eliminate Chelsea 5-3 agg.
Final: Porto defeat Monaco 3-0
CL 2004-05
1st knockout round: Real Madrid eliminated by Juventus 2-1 agg.
QF: Liverpool eliminate Juventus 2-1 agg.
Semi: Liverpool eliminate Chelsea 1-0 agg.
Final: Liverpool defeat AC Milan 3-2 on penalties
CL 2005-06
1st knockout round: Arsenal eliminate Real Madrid 1-0 agg.
QF: Arsenal eliminate Juventus 2-0 agg.
Semis: Arsenal eliminate Villareal 1-0 agg.
Final: Barcelona defeat Arsenal 2-1
CL 2006-07
1st knockout round: Real Madrid eliminated by Bayern Munich 4-4 (away goals)
QF: AC Milan eliminate Bayern 4-2 agg.
Semi: AC Milan eliminate Manchester United 5-3 agg.
Final: AC Milan defeat Liverpool 2-1
CL 2007-08
1st knockout round: Real Madrid eliminated by Roma 4-2
QF: Manchester United eliminate Roma 3-0 agg.
Semis: Manchester United eliminate Barcelona 1-0 agg.
Final: Manchester United defeat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties
CL 2008-09
1st knockout round: Real Madrid eliminated by Liverpool 5-0 agg.
QF: Chelsea eliminate Liverpool 7-5 agg.
Semi: Barcelona eliminate Chelsea 1-1 on away goals
Final: Barcelona defeat Man United 2-0
Of course, all historical patterns end eventually. Still, I’d prefer not to get Lyon. As for avoiding tough teams, at this point in the competition we might as well meet Barca or United or Inter (yes, I include them as among the toughest, it is utterly ludicrous to dismiss them as easy to beat) since we’ll have to meet them eventually.
Good day, all. I can understand the desire to put off our matches against Inter, Man U, and Barca- especially until RVP is back in the squad. On the other hand, our record against other European teamns- ‘big’ and ‘small’- over the past few years is SO strong. I truly think the objective viewer would rank Arsenal extremely dangerous in the Champions League, regardless of each teams’ home league play and ‘star’ level. We have run Inter, Real, Juve, etc. down with rare exception. Even Barca in the final was a fabulous, high powered affair prior to Lehman’s sending off. We looked EVERY bit as dangerous, and proved it by playing with 10 within a few minutes of victory (albeit on a Eboue dive, hehe.)
Utmost confidence, Gunners! We are the team to beat!
Tempranillo, barman, too age two months for our Final appearance!
pik, I agree, other teams should fear Arsenal as much as we fear certain teams, they’d be foolish not to.
We do have a good CL record these last few seasons. However, our away record isn’t great — we don’t win a lot of away games in the CL, tho you don’t have to win a lot of away games to succeed in the CL. Lots of draws are good enuf as long as you win at home consistently.
This year’s CL looks to be a fascinating one with some new teams in the last 8 and only 2 English teams left. Just like the PL this season, the CL is looking far more interesting.
marcus: If you indeed do watch the italian serie A games then you cannot ignore that at the moment this is the poorest championship of big 5, poorer than both ligue 1 and bundesliga even. The fact that Inter could win the serie A for the 5th time in a row without never having made it to the QF of the CL until now is telling enough, even worse they’re only one point ahead of the Geriatricos who are simply poor on the pitch (for them too the game against United was way above their usual slow-motion game).
You’re telling us that Inter’s loss at the week-end was a fluke but their win against Chelski that was as much an anomaly. They produced their best effort of the season against a depleted Chelski side with a defence in disarray (Bogsingwa, Cole and Essien injured and Terry destabilized, deservedly so if I may add) and misfiring forwards. Inter wil not and cannot reproduce this form consistently.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m glad Chelski is out. Inter really helped us with the title run. The paper are full of stories about the cash to be splashed by the oligarch and I’m sure the motivation of their players about to be sidelined is not exactly peaking right now.
PS: speaking of the respective strengths of la liga and the premiership, Fulham just proved my point with their display against Juve.
@Pires is King: RvP will not come back in time as he isn’t even training yet. Don’t forget he only had a few games as CF in his career before getting injured and he needed some games at the beginning of the season to adjust to the role so he will need games to adjust this time too. There isn’t any chance that he will be regularly scoring goals in a month, even 6 weeks. If we win it it’ll be with NB52.
But Gallas can’t come back soon enough imho because whoever it is we are facing next will be able to take advantage of Sol’s lack of pace.
I’m with SteveT, we don’t have to fear anyone. Still if I were to handpick the draw, it would be against the weakest side, namely Moskow rather that the strongest one. After all I’d rather have us in SF after easy wins rather than out of the competition after 2 pulsating games where we matched our opponent.
Point well taken, Matt. And despite the number of goals Bendtner has scored of late- including a few beauties i.e. his national team header and his last late winner for us- I somehow can’t really see the evidence that he’s the guy who can help us take us all the way. Seems like Diaby, Asharvin, and Cesc are more likely to be the decisive element(s). Maybe Eduardo?
As a footballing spectacle, I’d love to see us get Barca. Messi and co at the Grove. And the welcome that Titi would get. It’s a game where football purists would purr about the two best footballing sides in Europe. They would wax lyrical about the little masters Messi and Fab. So much individual talent on both sides. Of course we would take a 0-0 at the Grove only for Big Sol to nick it on their turf in stoppage time. Cut to every man jack piling in on Big Sol as the final whistle is blown. And Arsenal’s love affair with Titi continues as he is the first to congratulate his team mates (Oops former team mates).
Aahh..tis good to dream. All great achievements start as dreams.
(admitedly there’s way less evidence Eduardo will produce then Bendtner currently. Maybe wishful thinking, but we saw his talents beginning to really shine pre-injury, and I can’t help but think (hope?) that he will find that brilliance again. )
Bendtner works hard, I think, and is a pretty successful hold the ball up and distribute kind of guy, but rarely shows a skillful goal that’s not a tap in or a goal after 2-4 tries first that he coulda/ shoulda made. Not ragging on him, I just don’t feel confident on any given day that he will make it happen. Alright, enough of that, thanks for the space.
I think it ll be better for us to play Munich ! Their defence is so bad ! Remember that statisticly, bordeaux is the best team on this champions league !
they have win vs Munich *2, Juventus, haifa *2, olympiakos *2
It has to be our season. Things are turning our way like they always do for champions. First it’s Chelski who are initiating self-destruct mode with all the talks about a big summer sweep. Then just at the time when we need Liverpool to play well against United and Chelski, they start finding form with Gerrard and Torres back to their best.
Marcus
You seem to have very negative aproach towards your team, don’t get me wrong I’m not saying you’re not a fan but you seem to send a rather negative vibes to all Gooner family.
As for you humble pie well, it’s certainly either that or you will prove us worng in other words so it seems we might as well be very negative towards any game….
Now which one is it?
Lets hope so Matt!
Liverpool have been woeful this season. Inspite of the last two games, they will need a miracle at OT.
Sajit
Pool will make it a game or break they have been too bad to last the whole season I think witha bit of thuggery from Gerrard they will get a result.
Damn I hope ๐
Woeful is right. If we believe the reports, the best part is they can’t even get rid of Rafa. Let’s hope Torres goes on a rampage the next few weeks, right before putting in his transfer request!
Can’t imagine why Abramovich found Chelski’s performance unsatisfactory last night. I thought it was pretty much as enjoyable as watching us win!
John Terry was said to have left the ground in his car at 1 – 2 mph – yeah right, that’s just bound to break someone’s leg.
Malouda complained that Inter “looked for lots of fouls and did a lot of diving”. Suck it up son, it’s called ‘your own medicine’.
Terry, Lampard, J Cole, C Hole, Drogba, the afore-mentioned Malouda, all gone – bliss. What a bunch of classless, stupid twats.
Armand Traore’s immediate statement on Arsenal.com, within hours after the reported story that his dream is to move to PSG, refuting the story and proclaiming his total loyalty to the Arsenal cause, is good news for many reasons. But reading between the lines I think it shows the hallmark of Ivan Gazidis. Before he was here these stories were rampant, even if many of them were generated by players’ agents, of players announcing their summer plans to go away from Arsenal while the season was still going on. Especially right now while we’re in the middle of two magnificent campaigns, we have no need for such distractions. It may well be that Traore was called in immediately to issue the other side of the story, this despite Arsenal.com saying it was Traore who initiated the loyalty statement. In any case, that tempest in a teapot seems to have been dealt with efficiently and we can focus our concentration on tomorrow’s CL draw and West Ham.
Just for laughs ๐
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6035653,00.html
Sajit,
I’m glad to see Taraabt seems to be gaining some wisdom. That is what experience can teach you!
To the extent of how bad Serie A are the Juventus defeat to Fulham last night tells you all you need to know. By no means am I putting Fulham down as they had a fantastic game I watched it all. But we are talking about a PL mid table team against one of the big four in Serie A. They were put too the sword. The draw will be done soon and I dont care who we get I dont think we should be worried about any of them, THEY SHOULD WORRY ABOUT US !
We are the most constant team in the CL. Fact !
So all gooners get behind the best team in the land and be positive.
COME ON ARSENAL !!!!!!!!!
Watching the draw live Chaps….
Watch this space..!!!
Lyon v Bordeaux (French Derby)
Bayern v Man U
Arsenal v Barcelona
Inter v CSKA Moscow
Ohhhh my fucking god……
Barca, I knew it! Oh well, here’s to a fiesta of football and some finger crossing.
Well….all the makings of a great game. On our day, we are capable of competing with the very best. Too, we are steadily improving. Barca will not be looking forward to the game.
Keep on believing.
Really looking forward to this game. Just hope this doesn’t distract our boys for the weekend, though.
Fuckin’ hell, this season has in so many was been bloody brilliant this far and has the potential to be even better. Bring on Barca, but let’s get three points off both West Ham and the Brummies first!
Titi is coming home ๐
…but be prepared for a never before seen explosion of bollocks from the Spanish media about Cesc and Barcelona. They will go into overdrive from now and until we have knocked them out.
Well there it is lads. If you want to win the champions league you have to beat the best.
Put in a good shift and lose – probably no harm done, we’ll come back harder next year.
Put in a great shift and win – the competition is ours for the taking.
Put in a terrible shift – not an option.
Really, really looking forward to seeing these games.
So on my calculations it is a Arsenal v Inter/Bordeaux final.
Barca will be thinking oooooo shit ! A team who can match us in every department ooooooo bollox.
Rest assured they didnt want us pulled out the hat ( bowl ) sorry.
I am so looking forward to this game and believe everyone who enjoys football will tune into this. I cant wait for this !
Wenger is already licking his lips for this. Cesc is going to show why he is the best midfeilder in the world. THIS is why I support the best team in the world for glorious moments like this. I also agree with JT we go out with no fear and its ours. We will of course be the under dog before the draw was made we were 13/2 which will now be 33/1 with most. “Holic get the pound ready”
The pundits are all this is the game of the tie shame Arsenal wont go through. Bullshit we can go through and we can win this competion.
COME ON THE ARSENAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Barca will be thinking oooooo shit ! A team who can match us in every department ooooooo bollox.”
Don’t be daft. It’s exactly true the other way round you silly person.
“Wenger is licking his lips for this?”
How do you know?
If we go around with that attitude, we’ll surely get stuffed. They’re the greatest team of this generation, having won 5 trophies in a single year and have far more experience than we do having played together for a very long time. They also have a fully fit side with a striker whose on fire. Have you never watched any of Barcelona’s games? We don’t have a fully fit squad and our defence and strike force aren’t first choice.
I’m not being pessimistic. This is the match I wanted for the final. Maybe it’s just better this way but we should be viewing this objectively and seriously. It’s the toughest set of games we can play all season and your attitude towards the fixture is totally disrespectful.
Cheers Arthur.
Arsenal v Bordeaux Final it is then. More to come tonight, but be confident boys. This is what it’s all about. You can’t be winning stuff at this end of the season without taking out the second best along the way ๐
Matt: “Youโre telling us that Interโs loss at the week-end was a fluke”
Actually, I didn’t say that — I said that you made the mistake of equating domestic form with CL form, a very different thing. Inter’s recent domestic form hasn’t been great, the loss to Catania wasn’t a fluke.
“but their win against Chelski that was as much an anomaly.”
Really? Why? Did you see their thrashing of Milan? Inter have played like that against several highly defensive teams in Serie A all season long (except for their most recent fixtures).
“They produced their best effort of the season against a depleted Chelski side with a defence in disarray (Bogsingwa, Cole and Essien injured and Terry destabilized, deservedly so if I may add) and misfiring forwards.”
This is just convenient rationalization and excuse-making. So when we play Chelsea, and they soundly defeat us (4 times in a row) repeatedly, it’s because a whole number of excuses gooners come up with — not because we simply have no answer to Chelsea’s power and physicality, and to Drogba.
But when Inter beat Chelsea (WITH a highly motivated Drogba playing) — it’s just because Chelsea were poor, missing players, yadayadayada — not because Inter’s players and tactics were simply better on the day, because they were fully capable of dealing with Chelsea’s physicality. No, nothing at all to do with Inter’s ability, everything to do with Chelsea’s flaws. Very convenient nonsense.
It’s this hypocritical rationalization that I reject.
Anyone who sneers at players like Lucio, Maicon, Julio Cesar, Sneijder really have no clue about football.
“Inter will not and cannot reproduce this form consistently.” Have Man Utd or Chelsea been consistent this season? They’ve managed to stay in the top 2 even tho losing several games already. Yes, Inter are having a hard time staying top because of the same reason Utd and Chelsea are having difficult seasons staying stop: other teams in Serie A are getting better, more difficult to beat.
I certainly hope Inter don’t keep their consistency in the CL, esp. against CSKA. Would love to see them eliminated. But Mourinho has been hired specifically to win the CL and this is the first time for years that Inter have reached this far. They’ve already won Serie A for what, 3 or 4 seasons straight now? Their focus will be on the CL far more than the league now.
Arthur: “To the extent of how bad Serie A are the Juventus defeat to Fulham last night tells you all you need to know. ”
— Oh really? So what does Liverpool going out to a mid-level club in the CL’s group stage say about the PL? Again, double standards!
More hypocrisy and chauvinism toward other leagues.
Me, negative about my team, Arthur? I’m a realist, I’ve been watching (and playing) football for over 40 years. I also regularly watch other leagues. But I’m sick and tired of people in England dissing players and managers from other leagues, sneering at them in the hilarious belief that a league containing the likes of Hull and Stoke and Bolton is superior to one containing Genoa, Sampdoria and Livorno. Certainly that supposed superiority doesn’t translate into int’l competitions. Gooners often condemn English xenophobia in the way our club is viewed yet too often show the same kind of chauvinism (and ignorance toward) other leagues.
What grates is ignorant statements like “Inter’s old men will be chasing shadows if we draw them.” The idiocy of this statement beggars belief.
Fortunately, Wenger and our players are not so complacent and arrogant to underestimate Inter nor any other team.
So we get Barca. As I said, at this stage, might as well be drawn against the best. Too bad we don’t get the 2nd leg at home. Whatever the outcome, it’ll be a fantastic tie to watch.
ivan, just keep a lid on the personal stuff please.
Thanks.
Oh, and btw, Matt, against that same “depleted” Chelsea defense, with Drogba playing, I can guarantee you Chelsea would’ve beaten Arsenal.
One thing about the draw v. Barca — I much prefer them to Utd or Inter. Unfortunately, the team that eliminates the holder never goes on to win the competition (like we knocked out the holders Milan in 08). Yes I know there’s always a first time but I doubt that pattern will change. Still, it would be great to eliminate Barca.
@marcus: “Iโm a realist”
No disrespect meant, but I just want to point out that it is my experience that people who say that they are being realistic are in fact just plain old pessimists. To you the Serie A grass is greener, to others of us the Premier League grass is.
@marcus: and you just proved my point by referring to your rather peculiar stats about who was knocked out by whom. And as for your guarantee that Chelsea would have beaten us – well that is just plain old pessimism and lack of belief again. The last time we played Chelsea, you could argue that it was Cech who saved them.
Bring it on!!!!Believe, believe, believe, rather be playing Barca, than not being in the competition at all.
@ivan
How is thinking Arsenal can beat Barca being disrespectful ?
Yes they are a great team ! Yes they have played together for a long time ! Yes Messi is the best player in the world !
So lets give the cup to Barca and forget about the game. We have a better chance than most when it comes playing Barca as they like open attacking football as we do. As I watch most of the Barca games each Saturday, their defence is nothing to write home about. The fall backs get forward at any oppurtunity remind you of anyone ? Their midfeild pass the ball incredibly well, rings a bell also. Put pace on the wings ( Theo & Arshavin ) keep the fall backs occupied, keep the ball in midfeild and you have a very good chance of beating them.
I for one do NOT believe Arsenal will be at all scared to face Barca, and why should they ? This is what it is to be a Arsenal player you get to face the biggest teams in the world. This is why they came to the club, to take on and beat the best.
You are quite right I do not know for sure if Wenger is licking his lips over this tie. ( I am sorry for making a statement I cant back up ) However I think to myself did Wenger take over Arsenal to face Luton in the FA cup or to take on the best in the world. Im sure he enjoys both ( not a statement a guess ) But I wonder which game gets him more excited ? To take on the CL winners or to beat the likes of Luton in a fore gone conculsion in which I doubt he would play many first team players.
I wrote that post fully believing we can win and no pessimistic views on your behalve has changed my mind.
Barca are the force in Europe to beat. Dose this mean they are unbeatable ? I think not. My post states that I believe we can go through it dose not state that we turn up hammer them and go home. It will be a match most football fans have wanted to see for sometime. Barca are a great team and play fantastic football ! What are we if not a great team that plays fantastic football as well.
The start of the post was tounge in cheek but very possible, we can get to the final. As for injuries we have done sensational so far this season copping so why think we cant cope any more.
Regardless of what anyone may think of me. I believe we can win this game and its not disrespectful to think that way.
Marcus,
I appreciate you explaining everything to the bone, however I still sense a lot pessimism in your write up.
“Oh, and btw, Matt, against that same โdepletedโ Chelsea defense, with Drogba playing, I can guarantee you Chelsea wouldโve beaten Arsenal”
This really sums it up how can you guarantee that they would beat us? If you could guarantee such result you should really put your money on Chelsea?
With us getting stronger and stronger season by season I would think we do stands a chance of beating anyone and this certainly includes Chelsea, we have our own problems “injuries” they have theirs “ageing team” and same goes for Inter yes they have matched Chelsea but surely they are beatable like any other team and you know what we can take them on, don’t you think we could beat them or at least have a go at them?
I do have respect for Inter and I would never say we would stuff them like some people tend to think, however they are a team who can be beaten as Serie A has proved that. I have respect for Serie A and other leagues too, however beacuse the EPL is regarded as best in the world certain people tend to disregard the other leagues, perhaps that’s where the problem exists and I’m afriad there is not great deal you can do about that.
On my last note you forgot to mention that our beloved Arsenal can get quiet phisical too and if you haven’t noticed look at the games against Stoke and Hull, and to write off your team before any game is just plain wrong.
I’m not having a go at you personally but to me it’s just nonesense, but liek everyone on here I’m entitled to an opinion.
Now lets have a go Barca, you never know we can beat them and take on Inter after ๐
Arsenal 1971 Spot on Gooner…!!!
Just to add if you want to be great club you need be in there with other great clubs!
Cheers Arthur
Holic a large drink of what ever Arthur wants.
You are right, if you want to be the best then the best you must beat.
As Slowey put Believe, Believe, Believe.
I DO ! I DO ! I DO !
Should be a cracking tie, I think both teams will score in both legs, will probably end up 5-3 or 6-4 on aggregate or something, but who to?
I think Gallas has to be fit, certainly for the second leg and ideally for the first if we are going to get through. Sol’s done really well since coming back but I’m not sure how he’d fare against Messi and co. And as for Silvestre, this doesn’t really bear thinking about…
Heh! read my post gents at 38. I am made up.
We are not going out. We are probably the only team that can match Barca for pure football.
I don’t buy into the “well that’s it then, close the light on your way out”.
We have the brightest manager in world football – lets give him some credit please. Listening to some of you we might as well just roll over.
Who will stand with me!
AFC1974, I’ll stand with you! This will be Euro entertainment at its best.
Arsenal 1971 behind the 8 ball but not nasri
I’ll stand by you two!!!
Barman something warming for all of us please….with a pinch of belief for the other please
Arthur,behind the 8 ball but not Nasri and AFC1974
I AM WITH YOU ALL THE WAY
Ha ha ha…..good one
Liking this “Arsenal love in” lads and lets give Titi a great welcome because he is forever Arsenal.
Yes true words make some noise for TH14 ๐
Mornin’ Holics,
“And its Arsenal… ARSENAL FC…!”
In the last great Anglo/Iberian conflict, I do seem to recall that the English sank the Spanish Armada!! (Don’t investigate the analogy too deeply, gents – I realize there is a dearth of English talent on our squad…but I’m no xenophobe)
As we say here in Texas, “It’s time to cowboy up!” Come on you GUNNERS!
@Arsenal1971: couldn’t have been said any better!
Can’t wait to see titi back at the Emirates, hope everyone there sings his name loud and proud. Arsenal v Barca- two most beautiful playing teams in Europe, maybe the world- couldn’t ask for a better tie. So long as the refs don’t send Song off for sneezing, I think we’ll see victory. I don’t think there’s anyone that can beat Arsenal when we’re at our best, even if they’re at they’re best. Come on Gunners!
Some may say we will need to have Gallas back against Barcelona, and they could be right. But the Sol man is making a habit of scoring against Iberian opposition, so a wager of the ‘holic pound could be well placed on him doing it again. A shootout between Sol and Messi, anyone? Well, maybe not but getting a little carried away doesn’t hurt anybody does it?
Cheers Pires is king
I am glad to see more positive postings.
I am going to write a question and the answer Mr Wenger gave in a interview recently. ( This wont be a hundred percent acurate because I cant remember word for word but you will get the geist very quickly )
Q. Arsene, do you believe Arsenal can win the league this year ?
A. Yes ! if you dont believe you can win then you are already beaten.
I am with Arsene. Im sure this is the same attitude he will take into the Barca game. I also believe we can win.
Come on the ARSENAL !
’71 โ That’s the spirit!
And Cesc will play out of his skin. No doubt about that.
wow alot of bickering going on today. beers all around on me holic.
I knew it would be Barca, I said it on here a day or two back that I had a sinking feeling that it would be Barca and dag-gone if it wasn’t, I wish I was wrong….. It seems like Man’Ure has the easiest way into the final this year, and if we get past Barca we will most likely face Inter, if we can beat both those sides then there is no-way we shouldn’t beat whomever (Utd.) in the final…. I do cringe abit to think of Ol’ Sol going up against Messi, I hope he’s up for it, but I truly hope Gallas is back in a few weeks time, I would feel a little bit better with him in the CB role than Sol, but I like Sol and I want him to do well if it is him in the CB role, God please don’t let AW put Sylvester the Cat in the CB role, please please please because I know he will struggle vs. Messi and Zlatan I. struggle in deed; again I hope I’m wrong I mean look at the 2006 CL, we had a make shift defence with Flamini playing in the back and that back 4 did superb, so maybe Sylvester the Cat has a few good games left in them there bones ya’ think y’all??? No matter I know it seems like a big task to ask of this team to go through Barca, and most likely Inter on the way to the 2010 Final, but hey I believe we can do it and since I was correct in picking Barca as our next opponents I’m gonna go out on a limb here and predict Nasri scoring our 1st away goal at camp Nou and we win 2-1, and then take them at the grove again 2-1 making us the winners and advancing to the semi’s vs. Inter Milan, I’m not gonna predict that far ahead, but I do believe so much that we will beat Barca and shock the CL loving world, Go Gunners, Come on Ya Gooners lets smash Barca, UP THE ARSENAL!!!!
f4phantomphreak, your scenario sounds good with one thing to add. They play first at the Emirates and 6 days later at the Nou Camp.
We’re going to have 3 games within 6 days with 2 of them (Wednesday and then Tuesday) will be against Barcelona, the home fixture against Wolves in the middle (on Saturday). Wenger says Gallas is 80% likely to be out for the first game against Barcelona, so we had better have Song at the alert to play against Barcelona at the back since we will need more speed (by far) than we will against Wolves.
Whooah…..some fevered responses in the bar today ‘holic…..I can’t help but have noticed. Them seasoned drinkers over that side of the bar have been at it all afternon. That’s what happens when you have a lock in!
Look……sure, Barca will no doubt be a difficult tie, and one I’m sure Wenger wouldn’t have perhaps wanted quite yet, but that doesn’t mean we cannot be confident as we look ahead to the tie. I know the squad will savoring the tie and we have some fantastic big time players (Clichy, Gallas, Arshavin, Walcott, Campbell, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Almunia, etc) brimming with confidence, experienced at performing in big games….led by a captain who will never ever shy from such an occasion. I’m excited already!
Yes of course we will be the underdogs. Yes of course the world will be against us in thinking Barca will win. However the beautiful thing about the beautiful game is that it all about who delivers on the night. And, let’s not forget, if there is ONE other team who, like Barca, absolutely relishes their opponents playing open football against them……and that is the mighty Arsenal.
So, to Gallas, keep on drinking that family sized Elixir of Life so you can be around for the return leg. To Campbell…..get some extra bed rest….you’re gonna need it son. And to the other squad members….be ready for the game of your lives. And to the world…..don’t count us out yet. The footballing world could be in for a great big gift-wrapped surprise, with a wonderfully glowing Red and White bowtie.
We ain’t done yet…not way. Keep on believing fellow Gooners. ๐
If you’re looking for an extra diversion, ponder this:
Will Phil Brown get a job as manager of a tanning salon?