Time To Overcome The Butterflies And Bobby
Apr 6th, 2009 by 'holic
April 2006. Arsenal overcome the Yellow Submarine in the Champions League semi-final courtesy of a rare Kolo Toure goal in the home leg, and a last-gasp penalty save by mad Jens in the Estadio el Madrigal. There was not much time to reflect on whether or not Robert Pires would take a new one year deal or seek a lucrative last couple of years elsewhere.
Who would have thought that three years on the magical Frenchman, in the yellow of Villareal, would stand between us and another Champions League semi-final appearance? Welcome to the last eight of the biggest club competition in football. We are down to the best of the best, the cream has truly risen to the top.
It seems pointless to emphasise that all of the contests will be close at this stage. That just adds to the butterflies that fill the stomach as kick-off gets closer. Don’t hate that feeling. Savour it. So many fans of other clubs have never experienced it, and many never will. It means we are fully involved at the business end of the season.
So now we, the fourth placed team in England, travel to take on the fourth placed team in Spain. Whilst both clubs may currently trail their richer rivals you can be sure that nobody wanted to face either of us. Just ask Manchester United if they wanted to cross swords again with a side they failed to score against in two group encounters.
There is no doubt in my mind that the flexible 4-5-1 we employed against Manchester City owed everything to preparing for this fixture. Thankfully Samir Nasri has been passed fit to replace the cup-tied Andrey Arshavin. With van Persie, Diaby, and Eduardo all ruled out there is only one other possible change to the side that won so well at the weekend. Don’t be surprised if Emmanuel Eboue gets the nod over Theo Walcott on the right hand side.
Villareal come into the game off the back of a shock defeat to Almeria that was probably influenced by the proximity of this fixture. I have seen a fair bit of them this season and that weakened side did not produce the football of which they are clearly capable. The broken leg suffered by Cazorla will not help their cause.
Experience and quality abounds in midfield, where the magnificent Pires is accompanied by Marcos Senna. These two create a great deal for a dangerous strike partnership of Rossi and Llorente. However, they will know only too well that in recent weeks the Arsenal of old has been returning. A goalless draw would not necessarily be a good scoreline for us , but I rather fancy we will grab that critical strike away from home.
Up until now those butterflies have swayed the destination of the ‘holic pound. Sky Bet appear to offer the best returns on the two bets that catch the eye. They go 11/2 on a 1-1 draw, but as I am in one of my bullish moods I am going for the 2-1 away win at what looks like a generous 10/1.
I’ve also been lulled in to a Paddy Power offer of 5/1 on Cesc Fabregas to score at anytime on his return to his homeland. Cesc was used almost exclusively in the final third on Saturday, and may enjoy that same freedom again as he seeks a return to full match-fitness.
So that’s it. No mention of dear old Pascal Cygan, who may make an emotional appearance from the bench! Somehow I have to get through the twenty-four hours between now and kick-off without allowing the nerves to get the better of me. It is going to be a tense and nervous evening in front of the box, and we cannot even win or lose the tie until next Wednesday.
Bring it on!
11 Responses to “Time To Overcome The Butterflies And Bobby”
I’ll have a glass of water please, oh, and make it fizzy and add some lime. Nice preview by the way.
Nice preview, ‘holic.
I really hope Nihat doesn’t play tomorrow.
Just as a quick note, Almeria are a pretty good team, in Diego they have one of the best keepers in the league, and Negredo has been fantastic this year.
I’ll abstain from drink, late night lecture to attend today.
Robert Pires was one of our greatest ever players.Letting him go for the sake of an extra year on his contract was one of Arsene`s worst decisions since he has been at the club.A player with his intelligence can compensate for losing a yard of pace.I`m sure Arsene let him go because he thought he would block Reyes playing but how we could have done with him over the last three seasons.
Reyes although highly skilled had the mental strength of a two year old.(Might be a bit hard on two year olds.)
I was in Rome in 2001 for the game against Lazio when he equalised after running from the halfway line.The goal against Villa in 2002 at Villa Park.I still get horny thinking about it.
It will be great that the Arsenal crowd can say goodbye to him properly.It is the least he deserves.
Having said that I hope he has two stinkers against us.
A small one `holic ,cheers.
Hey Gonko – I think that you’ll find that Pires left because of his substitution in the CL final. It’s pretty well documented…
I am fancying Ade to score again in a 1-0 win.
Begeegs I believe if we would had offered him the extra year he would have re-signed before the Champions League final.
Anyway it was a sad way for a great player to end his time with us.
A score draw would be a fine result.
Anyone seen the fifth goal for Wolfsburg against Bayern at the weekend by Brazilian player Grafite.Try to catch it ,it really was something else.
I am feeling positive about tomorrow. Confidence is at a high and there will be a few players out there looking to impress. I am sure that Nasri will want to out smart Pires and show that he is worthy to take over his crown.
4-5-1 suits us in europe but I do think we use that to it’s maximum when Diaby is available. I take it I am not the only one who is getting a tad fed up with these international breaks?
2 – 0 to those rip roaring, free scoring Gunners.
Keep the faith.
“Donβt hate that feeling. Savour it. So many fans of other clubs have never experienced it, and many never will. It means we are fully involved at the business end of the season.”
– Nice one ‘holic.
Hopefully we can keep Pires quiet tonight and get an away goal or two. http://thenorthbank.wordpress.com/
Same team as Saturday, but with Nasri in for Arshavin?
NorthBank, people can get at you by clicking on your name. You don’t need to keep spamming your address as well π
‘holic, he’ll learn π as did i *chuckles*
10 more minutes before the telly brings on the pictures from SKY.
Lets hope there’s no more cable bullshit because i’m really psyched up for this one.
Fingers crossed for your ‘holic pound, my friend. I’ve got to say i’m looking for a 2 goal win over Villareal.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!