We Are Under Pressure To Win-Dass The Difference
Feb 16th, 2010 by 'holic
For all the football I watch, I must come clean here and say I could probably write all I know about Porto this season on the back of a Harry Redknapp tax return. Yes, that little. I think I saw them for about five minutes against Chelsea, and that’s it.
It’s third in the Portuguese League against third in the Premiership, and they still have Bruno Alves, and ‘Hulk’, who is Portugal’s answer to Dean Windass. In two previous meetings with them we have nailed the home legs, but will be attempting a ‘third time lucky’ attempt to win at the Estádio do Dragão. To be fair our defeat at the same venue last season came after we had qualified from the group stage.
What I do know, however, is that we will be weaker than we would have liked for the first-leg with Manuel Almunia, William Gallas, Alex Song, and Andrey Arshavin joining the already crowded treatment room. That means almost certain promotion for Lukasz Fabianski and Sol Campbell. Emmanuel Eboue could come in at right-back.
In midfield most would expect, if not agree, Denilson to get the nod over Ramsey and partner Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas. Ahead of them I expect to see Tomas Rosicky on the left, Nicklas Bendtner in the centre, and probably Samir Nasri to get the nod over Theo Walcott on the right.
Weakened we may be, but that is not a bad side, and if necessary could convert very quickly to a 4-5-1, should circumstances demand. Any enforced substitutions could present problems, but it is no good worrying about ‘what if’. The situation is unlike the one we faced last season, a fact acknowledged by Arsene Wenger ahead of the match.
“It is completely different because last time we were not under pressure to deliver a result. This time we are,”
That has persuaded me to be positive again with the ‘holic pound. 10/1 is widely available on a 2-1 away win, and that seems too generous to resist. I also like the look of 11/5 for us just to win, at Victor Chandler.
So, those making the day trip, I wish you a good one. If you run into a hyperactive little plumber from Spain please look after him!
At least after the first leg I, and all of you, will know a little bit more about Porto, the 2010 version. That will come in handy when previewing the second-leg, which hopefully will be made easier by a performance in the first.
Cheers ‘holics.
97 Responses to “We Are Under Pressure To Win-Dass The Difference”
Heh, did I just post a drink that disappeared?
Or did I forget to press ‘Submit’.
Anyway, I’ll still have that glass of Pomerol.
Thanks.
Drinking and typing can be dangerous Ollie.
Time for some of the fringe players to shine tomorrow, Come on boys you can do it!!
Pint of Lager please barman.
Cheers.
Ooh, Pomerol. Good call Ollie.
Evening H2H. Actually, weakened though we are, the likely bench isn’t too ‘fringe-like’.
Vito Mannone
Carlos Vela
Theo Walcott
Aaron Ramsey
Mikael Silvestre
Armand Traore
Bacary Sagna
No gloom here.
Evening ‘holic.
That looks pretty decent, just like you, I know very little about Porto except that in Europe they’re usually pretty strong at home.
Would be a great time for our lads to step up and repay the faith that the boss has shown in them.
Come on you gunners.
Tune in to Lyon-RM now. Great second half, would go well with a Pomerol imho 😉
Matt.
I think most of ue were enjoying AC outplay Utd, till Rooney tuurned up.
Ah well 10 man Stoke are beating Merc City at the mo’ so there’s something to be happy about.
I would have thought that Eboue on the right-hand side of the front three, ahead of Sagna, might be good away from home. Add to that Eboue’s pace and ability to deliver a cross onto the big man’s head
FC Porto Away
Got to say “Algarve it to you, ‘Holic.” Really started the sardine oil pumping through my capillaries!
Many question Le Boss’s strategy and tactical nouse. That Arsenal are bang in contention for Arsene’s two target trophies, the league and ECL, gets him my vote, not theirs, every time. Toothless and pitiful we may be in some eyes. In mine we’re hungry. Our teeth are sharper than the gnashers on a Rhodesian ridgeback. We’re ready to eat beef – so bring on Iberian bull, Eusebio!
And, off to Portugal we go. Where men are Nanis, Luis doesn’t give a Figo, and Gelled Tumblers tumble (because that’s just “what they do”). And, whence Special One Television broadcasts, causing Jose, Sven and Wayne to crack me up.
“Go west young BtM”, advised my ma once. I did, till I reached the sea and could go no further. I stopped into a Fado bar in Porto. To travelling Gooners – that’s the equivalent of a night out, in a mortuary, with, chief undertaker, wee Lulu MacSparry strumming a guitar and chanting “I belang tae Glesca, for hours on end”. Avoid it if you can. Do give the sardines, washed down with a drop of Port, a whack though.
I’d like to see Arsenal work to contain the indelible Hulk in the Tunnel, and ‘can’ the other Portugese pilchards. I hope Gallas and Vermaelen will resist the temptation to bolt forward, together. Otherwise they’ll leave a gap as wide as the Bay of Biscay through our middle. Porto will sail through that gap, quicker than you can say “Christopher Columbus’ cute cousin is a Canadian cucumber-canning comedian’s crossword companion”.
I’d start Sagna at RB. Eboue in front of him, with Cesc, Denilson and Diaby completing the mid-field. Nicky B in the lone ranger role with Nasri sitting behind him, with instructions to defend forward, would work for me.
I think we might pinch the away goal, for no Portugese punch back, and “One nil, to the Arsenal” on the night.
And as for tonight’s drink? It has to be Madeira, ma dear barman, for me. A vinho verde for Her Nellieness, por favor. “Obrigado, ‘Holic!” says she.
P.S. Should I book my ticket now for the final in Madrid on May 22 I wonder?
Good thinking, BtM. It must be UEFA lotto time soon? I’ll check.
March, apparently.
Evening all. Any old drink to take the edge off of a long day and the disappointment of seeing Milan let Utd off of the hook. Pity.
I’m strangely excited about our future manager starting tomorrow. He was looking full of running the other day, and brings a much needed directness to proceedings. Not always subtle in the touch, but much appreciated none the less.
Who’d have thought it a year ago?!
Funny old g….
I’m watched both. Lyon should have buried RM really, they’re lucky to escape with only one goal down even if Lyon played very naively in the last 15 minutes and allowed RM to believe. And they should have been up 3 or 4 goals by then. Let’s hope they won’t have to regret their wastefulness…
In the other game I thought Ronaldinho is still the world’s most gifted player in activity but the rest of the team was poor. Dida makes Almunia look like a top-notch keeper and the grandpas in midfield were totally overwhelmed by the (average) United midfielders every time they stepped up the pace. In the end people will say that the tie was pretty much even but without Ronaldinho, United would have destroyed them even without Rooney. Leonardo must really hate Flamini there is no other reason to keep him on the bench now. 2 average sides with one great player in each team.
I admire your honesty, ‘holic. I know more about Port than Porto. They play in a Sheffield Wednesday like kit though don’t they? That makes them owl like…
@Holloway2Holland: Merc Citeh (love the name!) had a lucky escape thanks to a ref amazing decision to deny a perfectly valid Stoke goal! It’s hard to say which one of them and Pool is less deserving of 4th spot…
No point in pretending, Snail. I watch French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and a wee bit of Argie. I haven’t got time, or indeed the interest, in watching Portuguese too.
Porto’s best players left to Lyon and Marseille in the summer and they’re currently third in their league. So without knowing too much about their current squad I still fully expect us to win it if we’re only half as commited as the Lyon players.
@BtM: Wait until Lyon kicks RM out of the CL next month there will be a lot of tickets available at discounted prices then….
Matt, we would of all prefered Stoke to have won that one, but still a good result for us. It means we still have a nice points cushon between us and the rest of the riff-raff.
And we can all drink to that.
Cheers.
The only thing that worries me about Porto is the fact that they are a pretty decent counter-attacking team. Just the kind of team we don’t need at the moment I think.
Very nice thinking, Matt. What a great outcome that would.
I particularly like the possibility of the Gelled Tumbler (all 90mill of him) tumbling right out of the cup. Imagine if that happened AND Barca beat them to the punch in La Liga! After they’d spent all that dough on Kackie, the Tumbler and Benzene. What a hoot that would be!
On such whims and Goonerholic do I while away the hours and derive succor and satisfaction from this path we tread.
H2H – Yep, I was hoping for a draw for exactly that reason.
What odds give ye on a barenuckle brawl between Sol and Hulk?
I see Hulk is likely to be on the bench as he is banned domestically for a brawl at the Benfica game. He is facing a three year ban! Fair play, even Windass never managed that!
@18 Wanger – I thought about that too but with the injury to Gallas I believe that Sol will stay at the back the whole game apart from corners and you saw that they improved that area against Liverpool when they didn’t leave just poor ol’ Clichy to deal with the counter.
Holic, indeed a decent one but I was thinking more of anyone but Denilson, as opposed to other times, I really believe AW has had it with him otherwise he would have not started a 50% fit Diaby at Stamford Bridge – he would have been “a little short of full fitness”.
If it was up to me I would actually start with Sagna as RB and a midfield trio of Cesc, Diaby and either Rosicky or Nasri, with Bendtner up front, Eboue out wide on the right and again either Rosicky or Nasri on the left wing (or maybe even Ramsey, but definitely not Denilson as the only thing he brings is more defensive ability and that has been horrible as of late as well so no thank you).
I think AW nailed it right on that it’s a different kinda game. I believe in our chances but I won’t mind with a minimal loss just like RM suffered today, we’ll do our job at the Emirates with the healthy ones going back.
RVP is getting ready for the quarters, ain’t he ;)?
21, Don’t make him angry ‘holic…..
You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.
Three year ban?? Jeez, who’d he have to kill to get that?
Evening all.
Sorry to pick you up on this BtM, but what is ECL?
You must know that I am troubled with text speak?
You must know that I am troubled with EPL?
You’re trying to send me over the edge with ECL!
And from such an articulate wordsmith as your goodself.
More bloody injuries? What the hell goes on at our place? I hope Fabianski gets a decent start or I fear he may be in bits. He seems to rely very heavily on confidence.
For some strange reason I have this belief that Theo will play some significant part in Porto. Not sure why, just a feeling I have. Quite like the idea of Sol at the back and Diaby in front. Gives the whole look a bit of strength.
3-1 to the Gunners.
Now Holic, a cheeky Tangle Foot before turning in if you don’t mind???
Evening, or morning for you all across the pond! AFC is at it again with his text talk OCD ; ). Huntelaar did not look sharp in front of goal for Milan today. He strikes me as an Eduardo type of player who when on form can finish amazingly, but hasn’t found his form back yet. Also watched the OL and RM match, and 19 year old Pjani? of Lyon looked extremely sharp for his age. Already know that Chelski and Citeh have made an offer for him, but maybe Wenger could snap him up even with our already crowded youthful midfield.
Pjani?
Jesus sorry lads Pjanic*** the iPod keeps auto correcting his name.
Evenin’ Holic,
It’s not a proper night in your hallowed establishment if ’74 doesn’t bang some poor soul over the noggin for using the wrong acronym! 😉
Just giving you a hard time after a long day in the office ’74, keep up the good work.
Methinks we should all slowdown on the victory projections…what, with counting those chickens before they hatch and such.
Whiskey, please sir. Here’s to a solid performance and atleast an away goal – cheers.
Anyone catch Paddy’s very violent stamp in Whelan’s groin area after getting frustrated with him in 5th minute? Wonder if he’ll get a message from the FA..
Manuel twisted his finger pulling it out…lol. I’d pay to see Sol v Hulk barenuckle brawl # 20.
How tough is Vermaelen then aye? Black eye…buised leg… and still carrying on.
@24 AFC – I knew it first when it was just the plain old simple European Cup. Its counterpart in these days was the European Cup Winners Cup. Then, for teams like Spuds, there was a thing called the Fairs Cup, a kind of consolation cup for failed footballers and geriatric ex-servicemen.
Then UEFA got a hold of the whole caboodle and buggered it up. I never know quite what its called now. Over here its regularly referred as UEFA’s European Champions League – which is a nonsense name in my thinking for a cup competition (even although it does start with a league phase). This is the regularly abbreviated to ECL – hence my use of that acronym.
So basically, AFC, I’m buggered if I know what I’m talking about. But nothing new there and it’s never stopped me in the past. What would you like me to call it?
I admit to have lapsed into the bad habit of calling the Barclays Premier League the English Premier League abbreviated to EPL. Again this is a function of a split personality defect resulting from a kilt straddling the Atlantic Ocean.
You may note, following recent beratings from yourself and the Guvnor, I have changed to “the league” – which takes me longer to type, but if it keeps you guys happy, well, so be it.
Off topic (forgive me) and I hope previously un-posted…someone went to the trouble of editing Diaby’s performance versus Liverpool.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/4739670/
Quite remarkable…yes it was one match but shows how far he’s come and doesn’t he look hungry too? Don’t play with the sound up for maximum enjoyment.
Cheers
Tim, apologies. My akismet is getting very fussy about what it is letting through these days, and I don’t know why. The only change I have made lately is to increase the number of links allowed in a comment.
Strange indeed.
no worries…it’s probably confused by the pro-Diaby sentiments….
Heh!
Have a link by way of apology.
This one is really hard to call as we always seem to get in to trouble there, I believe we will score a winner few minutes from time, and Diaby will put us ahead 2:1 to The Arsenal and I like your odds on this one ‘Holic.
I agree with Stevie T I think Theo will be the impact player and I want him to come on 60th minute mark and just run their LB to death, well you know what I mean. An away goal either way will be very important, anything but a decent, commited and whole hearted display is required from our lads.
I followed pretty much all the games last night, AC Milan paid for their wasted chances in the first half nothing more, Red nose gave them an good ol’ bollocking at half time and that was that. Lyon on the other hand was sublime to watch especially in the second half, here is hoping they could knock them out in Madrid. Stoke should have won there was NO foul on Robinson, even the pundints went to say where is this foul? Hey at least Rooney got a yellow for his big mouth and something tells me he gets away with it in EPL.
I’ll have a black coffee no sugar please barman…need to wake up my sleepy eyes!
Cheers ‘holic. That’s an honour, most sincerely. I’ll hopefully return tomorrow following a good performance ‘down there’.
I went to an Arsenal match in Portugal back in (91-92?) where we pulled off an unlikely result vs Benfica when just returning to European play. I won’t mention the home leg….blimey that was an eye opener wasn’t it?
First year English clubs were allowed back in after Heysel, if memory serves Tim, and luckily we were Champions. Only the champions were allowed in until they renamed it the Champions League!
1-3 at home, from memory. Horrible night. I also recall us thumping Sporting Lisbon in the Fairs Cup, 1970 I think. Actually, I’ve never really disliked Portuguese football, and it’s teams. But then I was growing up when Benfica had Eusebio, and Simoes, and Torres, and Coluna. What a side.
Work 🙁
We should leave Denilson on the bench. Ramsey is the one I would play. Here is hoping for a good result for the gunners and that Betty Ross gose into labour or somthing and the Hulk has to leave quickly to smash !
Greetings BtM across the seas.
I feel I must first explain my neurosis. When I was in high school a form of “pig Latin” or “pig English” quickly became “cool” amongst the impressionable types. I stood firm. It cost me dearly. I was ejected from certain circles and lionised by others.
This wound has never quite healed and brings discomfort from time to time. And so you see it is the little things like correct nomenclature, abbreviations, prose and so on that trouble it so.
One little lazy slip of the keyboard and we could create a “Butterfly Effect” somewhere on the other side of the ocean. And these impressionable types would interpret the writings as sacrosanct and thus becoming defacto. The course of evolution would change. In a few short years we would be spk n txt dyu gt me?
Perhaps my stand is a little like Canute. Ultimately pointless.
I look forward to your prose as you carry the flag for this fine language of ours across the shores and beyond. There are few of us left.
Sigh.
@ Goonerholic
I’m very tempted to put £2 on Nasri to get the first goal and Arsenal to win 1-0 (50-1 odds from Paddy Power).
What do you reckon mate?
They love those double up bets DJ, and for very good reasons. I would personally look for one long-odds option than hope to land a double. Not a bad shout on Samir though. He’s due a goal.
AFC1974 @ 24 and 41
Surely then your user name should be Arsenalfootballclubnineteenseventyfour 😉
I did a Ladbrokes Port 1:2 Arsenal with Bendtner to score first, put 4 squid in ther 40/1
Come on Arsenal….!!!
@ 44 Zicoinexile
Good shout mate!
I will settle for a narrow win or draw.
I also agree with Steve T – what the hell goes on at training – one injury after another. Do we buy/rear players made of glass or does AW bring in thugs like Joey Barton just to provide an authentic match-like experience?
Given the number of injuries we will soon need a first team squad of 40 just to compete in all competitions. 🙁
zico in exile
Not so good friend. Read. Digest. Engage.
Correct abbreviations are acceptable.
Hybrids are the work of siths and dark lords.
Therefore your suggestion “Arsenalfootballclubnineteenseventyfour ” should actually be “Arsenal football club nineteen seventy-four”.
AFC1974 is acceptable as there is no benchmark. It exists in its own right. A bit like zicoinexile.
@44 -ZiX; Goonerholic is getting increasingly sophisticated. Perhaps we should encourage ‘Holic to publish a glossary of acceptable terms and abbreviations?
(re: Benfica match 91-92) Yeah we were really given a lesson that night, Highbury was packed buzzing after getting a good result (1-1) in Portugal and we naively felt we’d go through to the group stages (which was then the final 8). I remember we wore the yellow tyre print kits at home…(did Benfica only have red shirts on the plane?) and we were chasing shadows much of the game. It seemed Adams was dragged everywhere but in truth I think we was trying to fill the holes left by Colin Pates. Nearly 20 years ago already.
I concur with Portuguese sides, no big issues and for me traveling to Lisbon that year remained a high point as I’d not been old enough to see us pre-Heysel play in Europe. My older brother used to lecture me about the Fairs Cup being our specialty.
Cheers….come on you reds
What, still with the grammar, texting, abbreviation, Strunk & White policing-exercise? (#s 41, 44, & 48) Gentlemen…
I agree with BtM in #49, ‘Holic you have to intercede and quash this tempest in a teapot by posting your own barkeep approved syntax 😉
By the way ’74 (Can I further distill your abbreviated handle from AFC1974 ? – why certainly), pig latin was a superior form of communication – this from someone who studied three years of the Roman stuff. No declensions are required in PL (pig latin not Premier League – see where all the abreviations get you?)
Bailey’s and coffee for me this morning in the great US of A, please ‘keep. (I’m not tempting fate here, but I kinda like Fabianski today… just you watch and see ;))
BtM – Heh! 🙂
All manner of derogatory writings are acceptable for our brethren along the High Road though. And as you have kicked things off with my particular favourite “Spuds” I will follow that up with InterToto FC.
Lonestar Gooner – you colour the debate. Whoops! should that be color? What is your favourite (favorite) slang for our local rivals?
’74 – I think “Spuds” is just capital! It fits any group of degenerates who could stomach the rallying cry of ” To dare is to d’oh… I mean, do.” By the way, I have no problem watching my favourite Colour Purple at the theatre 😉
C’mon you Gunners!
Frequent readers will recall that I am also partial to Chel$ki (or GASPROM FC) and ManUre references (although the Cowpies are by no means “local” rivals)
Lonestar – It’s pathetic, but they think they have the bragging rights as they have actually won something in the last five years. Is there a good song for the Emirates Cup? Heh.
I like this “Merc FC” and they haven’t won anything for ages!
Perhaps Citeh could adopt the skull and crossed bones for their kits? It would match the whole Merc FC moniker, no?
Sorry to be pedantic gents.
But it’s Merc City also known as Morcashter Citeh. 🙂
Heh!
Thanks for keeping me in line, H2H! “Merc Citeh” is even bettah. Awhore matey!
Yes, me of all peeps. Bowing now and as low as I can go H2H.
Gutted to read that Ade is the highest paid football numpty in this country on something like 150k a week. Is anyone actually worth that kind of money? In Europe it’s Ronaldo on 170k ish.
I read that Fab is on around 80K. Seems like better value.
Cesc is not a money grabbing twat like Adepaymemore, I believe it was a correct call to offload him but a bad call from Le Boss not replacing him, anyway I don’t want to get into that one again.
Cesc’s contract is being in the process of being extended even futher making him a highest paid Arsenal play and to be honest with you I think he deserves it.
Not long to go chaps..I awlays get slightly nervous before a game!
COME ON ARSENAL….COME ON ARSENAL….COME ON ARSENAL….
The last person (tool, gimp, whatever) that I want to talk about is Adebywhore…but, if you can con Sheik ali Insane-amounts-of-petrol-bucks to pay you the wages, then more power to you, man (same for Toure).
It’s always struck me as strange that the football world breaks player pay into per week wages – like they are working stiffs like the rest of us. The real thing to remember is this: although 80 – 170k per week (I’d take it) might be an astounding figure, just keep in mind how much more the guy who pays those wages must be making.
Anyway, enough distractions – pass the Courvoisier and let’s tame the hulk! Come On YOU GUNNERS!
Evening Holic.
Just had a few quid on Diaby on Betfair @ 19/1 (also 2 quid on Campbell @ 42’s, what can I say, he’d be two in 2 champs league games!!).
Your 1-2 scorecast is trading at 15’s at the minute. What say you pour me a Pint bottle of Magners and a glass of ice and I’ll back it for you. All proceeds go to the Arsenal Strikers Benevolence Fund??
Come on you Gunners!
AFC1974 @ 48
Gd 4 U M8 🙂 🙂
Ah, only kidding. I will write in grown up english from here on in.
Come on Arsenal!
quick prematch update: previously discussed barenuckle brawl appears on the cards after all!?
Just back from the Emirates… was lucky enough to get an invite to ask Tony Adams a question for a new ATVO show… an audience with
WOW – an afternoon all those who attended will never forget.. and an afternoon full of startlingly honest and expansive chat from TA6
i assure you, a lot of what he spoke will not make the final edit!!
i am still gobsmacked with the underlying anti arsene stance he took
going to settle down and watch the porto game.. but i will put up a full report of this afternoon on my blog later tonight.
amazed with some of the stuff Big tone came out with… he certainly loves the club.. but he has 100% lost faith in wenger!!
FACT!!!
I’ve lost faith with any of our keepers. Come ON, Lukasz (however he spells it)
Good man Hawke. Where is your blog? I would be very interested to hear what he has to say. Unfortunately he is rather too honest for his own good, but looking forward to this.
Heh! I know what you mean Lonestar. Forget how he spells it. Calling them Keepers is a misnomer. They certainly aren’t trying hard to rubbish our argument.
AFC1974 – just click my name in red.. will link directly.
Our away supporters are really wonderful. On my stream it feels like a home game from the noise of the crowd!
Doh! – who else knew about this newfangled t’internet link contraption? Some people have said “74, you simply Can’t Understand New Technology”. And they shout it as well. Heh!
Ok so now I’m digging and finding out lots of stuff. Lonestar, do you still think Diaby should go?
lol, i pulled lonestar up on that the other day 😆
Heh! Gents, nothing ever disappears on that there internet. As I said when the good Stringfellow Hawke called me out as a member of the BBB, Diaby has grown in a year – as have I!
I tip my hat to those of you bloggers who can turn out columns week after week. I tried blogging about a year ago, but I don’t have the stamina.
Thank goodness for Sol…one half to go, and it’s there for the taking… Come on you Gunners!
Just kidding Lonestar. I remember that game and he had an absolute stinker! But, careful what you pen 😉
You should have reminded me of that before I penned #51 above – har, har!
Oh….my….god. I’m on my way to Portugal right now, as I, with my surgically-repaired knee and extra 40 lbs, would do a better job in front of goal than the jesters we have now.
we have been totally robbed of a clear pen.. that then led to a goal for them
sickening.
Vela to score, COME ON YOU REDS!
Right, Matt. I have some prime sub-prime beach-front property to sell you in Death Valley. Poor result. I’m ready to see what TA6 has to say.
Don’t even get me started tonight guys n dolls. Going to bed. I’ll have a clear head tomorrow. Bottoms up!
Fabs post match interview is telling. This boy is not happy with his team mates. We will rue the day we dare not speak of.
Stringfellow @ 79 – yes it was a clear penalty, but that second goal – god, we just keep finding new ways to gift goals to the opposition.
Hard not be angry about the goals we gave away tonight – its what you would expect from a pub team.
Hopefully the players are as frustrated as I am tonite and we take it all out on Sunderland on Saturday!
’74, I’ve been making this point for quite some time. Where there’s smoke, there’s some degree of combustion… Cesc won’t be long in an Arsenal shirt… I can’t blame him. Champion-caliber (perhaps, calibre) players want to win hardware. As we showed today, like time again throughout the season, we ain’t close yet, bub – not even close. Contrast our schitzo performance today with the Manc’s show yesterday. Say what you will, but Old Red Nose’s boys know how to grab the game when the opportunity presents.
Not us. That’s the god’s-honest truth, and it guts me to say it.
Needless, disappointing defeat. Yes, it probably was a back pass, and a free kick, and while these are rarely given, when they are I have only ever seen the ref allow time for the defending team to organise a wall (usually along the goal line). To do anything else is to basically award a penalty. Something which he failed to do for us at the other end, but which we never saw a replay off thanks to the totally one-sided TV director. As for the commentators on ITV, they can go to hell as well. Bunch of biased clueless no marks that they are.
We should be able to turn it around in the home leg though.
I think UEFA seriously need to consider the ref’s position as a ‘top referee’, he’s made at least one high profile mistake this year, but he will have done no favours for himself tonight. I’m not looking for a ‘Frisky’ chav-like reaction as they are only humans doing a high pressure job, but you do have to get the basics right.
Lonestar, I sincerely hope you’re wrong, but this is the first time I have witnessed him like this in an interview. Arguably it’s post match and it’s raw from him.
Fabianski didn’t let me down. I knew he was going to have a shocker.
Where can I see Cesc’s interview?
ITV.com won’t let me see it since I’m outside of the UK.
Anyone got a link for the video or something?
You realize, of course, that we will need to score at least three goals when we host Porto at the Emirates. This may be a bridge too far. (BTW, don’t listen to me…I’m just in the depths of despair).
Lonestar.
A 1-0 win would be enough to put us through mate.
It’s not that bad.
@ 83 AFC1974
You are spot on. They were my thoughts exactly when I heard Cesc. He sounded a young man so pissed at what he had just been through. I have never doubted he would be starting next season in an Arsenal shirt. Until now.
They have to be 2 of the most ridiculous bits of keeping I have ever seen. I have lost count of how many basic goal keeping errors have cost us this season. I am so pissed at the moment that I will save the rest until I calm down. If we go through, most of tonight will be forgotten, If we go out there will be hell to pay. That was simply shocking.
H2H, I think Lonestars inference was that we cannot keep a clean sheet and he has a point 🙁
To be honest I’d rather go out now to Porto then get further and wind up possibly being thumped by Man Utd or Chelsea.
As for Fabregas, it was straight after the game, and it’s always a time when emotions run high. It’s too early yet to start worrying about his future with us or to read too much into the interview. Maybe he will leave, but that’s something for another day.
zicoinexile, A good point.
If so I humbly apologise.
Charlie. He was completely hacked off. I have never seen him like that. He seemed shell shocked at the total incompetence that had just witnessed. To be honest, he is not alone. Only difference is that Barca do not want to pay me 120k a week to play football……
Like I say, it’s too early to draw firm conclusions about his future. And for total incompetence we got away quite lightly, so there’s still hope for the second leg.
Two soothing herbal teas for Steve T and myself ‘Hols.
Normally Cesc gives very balanced and guarded interviews for one so young. Today was different. He distanced himself from his teamates, almost suggesting “why ask me? I don’t know? Ask them why they keep making these basic errors”.
The bigger picture is we will probably get a win at the Grove. Porto are no great shakes. And all will be forgotten. Or will it?
The problems of the here and now were etched all over Fabs face. 🙁
We’ve really got to do more than offer him a better contract. That boy wants medals not moolah.
Wake up Arsenal please. Pretty please.