Michael Cox spot on as usual with what we need to do to win tonight
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/uefa-champio...beat-barcelona
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/uefa-champio...beat-barcelona
Arsenal Supporters Thread (Part 16)
149 of 321
All it takes is for Barca to have an off night (every team does now and again...Celta Vigo beat them 4-1 earlier in the season) and us to have one of those top top performances...Lets face it we're due one...
Originally Posted by Wouter:
“As I said, I'm in two minds and can see the benefit of fielding a full 1st team with the likes of Giroud, Walcott, Özil, Coq etc, but I can also see that we may be better off with the likes of Ramsey, Elneny, Wellbeck etc. There's not a huge amount in it, to be fair. Both options would/could be considered fair, but I would draw the line at calling either 'hilarious'.
We should have plenty of time ro recover from this match, considering we're playing our next (imo more important) game on Sunday. The issue would be picking up injuries, which would be the worst of both worlds. I can see Merts picking up an injury simply trying to work out where any of messi, neymar or suarez is or will be at any given time.”
“As I said, I'm in two minds and can see the benefit of fielding a full 1st team with the likes of Giroud, Walcott, Özil, Coq etc, but I can also see that we may be better off with the likes of Ramsey, Elneny, Wellbeck etc. There's not a huge amount in it, to be fair. Both options would/could be considered fair, but I would draw the line at calling either 'hilarious'.
We should have plenty of time ro recover from this match, considering we're playing our next (imo more important) game on Sunday. The issue would be picking up injuries, which would be the worst of both worlds. I can see Merts picking up an injury simply trying to work out where any of messi, neymar or suarez is or will be at any given time.”
I wasn't calling the players you listed hilarious as such, just the idea that Wenger would think this game was gone before it's even started and would deliberately field who he viewed as inferior players against Barcelona.
I think both games are equally important. How we fare tonight could have a knock on effect on Sunday.
Originally Posted by Phoebica:
“How we fare tonight could have a knock on effect on Sunday.”
“How we fare tonight could have a knock on effect on Sunday.”
I agree with this. Whilst I can see the merits of what Sotek is saying, maybe we could make a few changes here and there, but not a weakened team as such. I'm fully expecting Barcelona to beat us easily both tonight and at the Nou Camp, but if they completely thrashed us I think it would completely knock the stuffing out of us and effect not only our title challenge (ha ha), but our FA cup run too; not to mention it would be bloody embarrassing!
For those who think we're in with a chance, we couldn't beat Hull, how are we going to beat one of the best teams in the world?
As good as Suarez, Neymar & Messi are, they are not the best at tracking back & defending. Arsenals best hope tonight is catching them on the break. It has to be a massive everything goes right night tonight for Arsenal.
Originally Posted by Wouter:
“It isn't, I feel. Realistically, we have little chance against Barca, so it would make sense to try and maximise the squad for Sunday instead. Saying all that, I'm not sure this would be a good idea, but to call it hilarious is a step too far. We're better of (imo) to go out and enjoy the game and try to give the fans in the stadium an entertaining match with a full(ish) squad. Knowing our luck, we'll end up with a few injuries though...
People did go mental to Ospina's inclusion, and rightly so. Had it not been for the first two losses, we may well have topped the group and avoided the bigger teams (incl Barca).”
“It isn't, I feel. Realistically, we have little chance against Barca, so it would make sense to try and maximise the squad for Sunday instead. Saying all that, I'm not sure this would be a good idea, but to call it hilarious is a step too far. We're better of (imo) to go out and enjoy the game and try to give the fans in the stadium an entertaining match with a full(ish) squad. Knowing our luck, we'll end up with a few injuries though...
People did go mental to Ospina's inclusion, and rightly so. Had it not been for the first two losses, we may well have topped the group and avoided the bigger teams (incl Barca).”
It is the CL. A weakened team is unthinkable. We have to give it our absolute best.
I'm going to watch with no pressure. Not expecting a win, what I expect however, is a good account of ourselves. And errrr...keep them from embarrassing us.
Having said that, who knows hey? It's not as if we haven't beaten them before.
Having said that, who knows hey? It's not as if we haven't beaten them before.
Line up:
Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Originally Posted by satellite:
“For those who think we're in with a chance, we couldn't beat Hull, how are we going to beat one of the best teams in the world?”
“For those who think we're in with a chance, we couldn't beat Hull, how are we going to beat one of the best teams in the world?”
On that note, this is what grinds with me and the way we approach certain games. Wenger has admitted we will be more focused against Barcelona than we were against Hull. It's easier to be in the zone against the top clubs than the cannon fodder of the lower level clubs like Hull he said. I am paraphrasing but that's what he was getting at. I can kind of understand the mind set going into some games like Barcelona but Wenger needs to instill the right mind set going into the so called lesser games. I do wonder what kind of message he gives the team when we go into these matches? Even the players think they can just turn up and win. Walcott said as much about Southampton away.
Anyway, I have no expectations this evening. What will be will be. If we can somehow keep a clean sheet, a tall order I know then we have a half a chance over there but can't help but feel that Messi and Suarez will cause untold grief tonight.
Originally Posted by NightHawk123:
“Expected a faster start from us tbh.”
“Expected a faster start from us tbh.”
Arsenal hasn't played fast for many years.
Originally Posted by NightHawk123:
“Take Giroud off for Walcott/Welbeck. He is offering nothing up front.”
“Take Giroud off for Walcott/Welbeck. He is offering nothing up front.”
Agreed, although I think Walcott should have started anyway. Pace is what works best against teams like this just as it did against Bayern at home.
Originally Posted by junitasm:
“Agreed, although I think Walcott should have started anyway. Pace is what works best against teams like this just as it did against Bayern at home.”
“Agreed, although I think Walcott should have started anyway. Pace is what works best against teams like this just as it did against Bayern at home.”
Koeman was surprised Walcott didn't start as he played well against Bayern Munich.
He's on now so let's see what he offers.
Originally Posted by NightHawk123:
“So happy Cech is in goal for us and not that clown Almunia in previous meetings.”
“So happy Cech is in goal for us and not that clown Almunia in previous meetings.”
Or Szche-sczeh-cheza---oh you know who I mean.
Love Cech to bits, best goalie since Seaman!
149 of 321
