Go Gunners!! The champs leag is the only thing we have going right for them, pity UEFA has just about eliminated any chance of the previous winners qualifying by default so they still have a tough fight to squeeze into that 4th spot. I really hope they will scrap a draw with liverpool this weekend at the very least given that their league form after champs leag games has been woeful. And Mourinho is trying so hard to convince the world what a whanker he is, the best team didn't win again huh Jose, well tough luck dude..
YES! Gunners have reduced Real Madrid into smithereens by a 0-0 draw at Highbury! Time to don my Henry jersey tomorrow with a note stuck on my rear end that reads "Real fans and Asian Becks lovers can kiss here..."
Arsenal better hope they draw Benfica or Villareal, those are the only two teams I think they have a chance of beating, and they'd both be tough matches.
Anyone watching the Champions Cup match between the Galaxy and Saprissa right now? Great stuff, 2-2 in the 82 minute. This is the CONCACAF version of the Champions League on FSC right now.
That said, it'd be awesome if we drew Juve (we've got a good record against them), and we beat them and leave Viera out in the cold for giving up on the team.
I'd love it if Villarreal drew Arsenal, I think that would be the best match-up for Villarreal. Benfica like the other portuguese teams plays too much defense, Werder Bremen looks too good, Lyon is on a roll, and the italian teams are always just kind of scary to go against given the talent.
Yeah, he was spectacular in that match. Did you see the first leg? That goal he scored there was amazing. He beat 3 or 4 guys to score. You're right about him being like t-mac, he makes it look so smooth and easy. I also love the facial expressions he makes when has an amazing play and almost scores. It's funny.
Wow what a night last night! First the Rox game which had my heart skipping beats and then the Arsenal v Real game! It was well worth staying up til almost 2 AM. Those who say soccer is boring because of the low scoring know nothing. That game was 0-0 and better than some NBA, NFL, and any baseball game I have seen. There were so many chances and the pace and tension was so high! The play-by-play commentator on ESPN2 (I can't remember his name), cracks me up with the comments he makes.
UEFA did change the rules to let the CL winner defend their title even if they did not finish near the top of their respective league. They have to start at the bottom of the qualifying stages and go from there in order to defend though, just like Liverpool did this past year. Here's the problem for the gooners,they still have to win the CL first! As a Manchester United fan I would like to see you guys get a good kick in the Arse. I like Henry though and believe he is the only thing keeping the gooners from oblivion. Was it only two years ago that the Arse seemed to be on top of the world? Mourinho is a good coach,but he has to learn to be more careful when he speaks. Confidence is one thing. Arrogance and delusion is another, Barca totally dominated the Blues last night and how they got that penalty is beyond me. Last year his team got beat by a "goal" of the slimmest margins, but this year they truly got outplayed bad pitch or not.
I don't think Arsenal needs to avoid anyone in particular. Their defense is playing great (six or seven clean sheets in a row) and they can open up with anyone. Reyes and Hleb are really starting to cause problems on the flanks. Henry can score at anytime and Mad Jens is playing absolutely great. With the ManU fans you're not going to get any credit, but I think they've got a chance against any of the matchups.
I didn't get to watch the 2nd match (F ESPN), but Hleb and Ljungberg were gashing the Madrid defense and giving plenty of good looks to Henry. If they can keep up their play, I think they have a chance to advance.
Quarterfinal draw is out: Benfica and Barca Milan and Lyon Villarreal and Inter/Ajax winner Arsenal and Juve Viera returning to Highbury! Picks?
Barca over Benfica rather easily. Milan-Lyon is a tough call for me, I've seen Lyon quite a bit this year, and they're a very strong team, however I'll give a slight edge to Milan, but I reserve the right to change this pick before the quarters. Inter should advance to the quarters, and I'll take them over Villareal. Juve's midfield is too strong for Arsenal. BTW, has anyone noticed how old Juve's team is?
Barca Lyon (I know its an upset but they're playing really good football it seems) Villarreal vs Inter/Ajax - I haven't seen Villarreal at all so I guess I'll pick Inter Arsenal - the pressure is all on Juve. With Gilberto in front of the back four I think Juve is going to have their hands full with Reyes, Cesc, Freddy, Hleb and Henry.
Barça - clearly the best team left in the competition. Benfica should give them some trouble, they're a pretty talented team and Simao is lethal from free kicks - which Barcelona have trouble with. Valdes is probably the weakest goalie left in the competition - but I haven't seen Villarreal that much. Lyon - Somewhat of an upset, but Milan's defense looks kind of old and slow to me at times and Lyon have some serious pace in attack to open it up. They've got a good core of players and they're so far ahead in Ligue 1 they can rest players and not lose too much. Inter - I expect them to go through against Ajax and Villarreal have been erratic all season - and despite going through, they were largely out played by a poor Rangers team. Juventus - tough call, Arsenal are playing better - but Juve have a phyiscally imposing midfield and I'm not sure that Arsenal's youngsters can cope with that.
Alright, action is back today. I'm warming up for Arsenal's victory over Juve today! I figure they give up an away goal but repeat their 3-1 victory from a few years ago. Viera cries when the fans sing his song: Vieira, Vieira, he came from Senegal, he played for Arsenal.
Arsenal 2 Juve 0 Benfica 0 - Barca 0 Arsenal did what they had to do, put up a strong result at home with Juve playing without both Nedved and Del Piero. Did anyone see this match? Zebina and Camoranesi were both sent off with in the final couple of minutes. The Barca-Benfica match had some terrible calls by the ref.
And Vieira is out for the next match due to his yellow The Barca-Benfica match was pretty entertaining, but F ESPN for not showing Arsenal-Juve
That ref was literaly blind. If that wasn't a hand ball then what is? Can't take anything away from the benfica goalie. I really thought Barcelona was going to score on multiple occasions.
