Real Madrid H Big lugs quarter final first leg Tues April 8th KO 8pm

[augie]

Some fans cannot be rehabilitated and will always be negative regardless.

lets come back to this after the 2nd leg shall we. we can watch the highlights of another ohdeargod master class together.

as the saying goes "there's none so blind as they that won't see"

If you’re only interested in being proven, why do even bother supporting. No doubt if we get a result, you’ll come back here and chat shit about how pleasantly surprised you are. It’s all very predictable from some of you

I think you'll find that in my first post on this thread i said that i would come back and gladly eat all the humble pie there is on offer, so no doubt if we got a result id be at first stunned and would then come around to the fact that over 2 legs we did what was required and credit where it's due.

You see just because im a supporter, im not a blind supporter and even though AFC couldnt give 2 fucks about my opinions on how the club is run it doesn't exclude me from looking at the club i support with a very critical lens. Some would call it having high standards, others would call it negativity. I dare say if a lot of fans had the same standards we wouldn't have been lumbered with wonga for so long, but of course you have to take the good with the bad.

Well said. I'm so sick of this shit from the cultists that you are not a real supporter unless you blindly drink the cool aid. It was the same shit with the AKB.

I think you spelt "cultists" wrong

[rodders999]

We'll win because we're The Arsenal

[Limerick Gooner]

I’m hearing Zinchenko left back. Partey right back. Kiwior centre back. Sterling right wing.

[General]

Your absolutely right, i cant even count the amount of times ive been involved in banter with the lads on a team or in the pub and to keep them all quiet ive jumped up on the bar and listed out all the quarter finals we've ever made it to, oh boy does it silence the supporters of other teams like theres no tomorrow.

Calling a quarter final a high standard is the same as wongas 4th place is a trophy, its a fucking loser mentality, always has been...always will be.

You’re either inebriated or trolling.

https://x.com/BBCSport/status/1909547410780463325

Theres a respect and dignity policy on the forum, Im going to adhere to it here and say no more.

Sorry to bruise your ego, you did mention pub. The world has gone woke and we need to get back to calling people out on their foolishness.

Statistically we are ranked 3rd favourites. What do you say to this or are you going to continue to cling onto your doom and gloom outlook?

It will be interesting to see how this debate ages. Only 8 days to wait.

I'm under no illusion of the task at hand.
I'm not a blind follower or a cultist as DB likes to jab at me from arm's length whilst keeping his head below the parapet.
But I never understand this routine wave of negativity before games. Sure the team has well documented deficiencies but it’s a cup competition and we’ve shown we can compete hence qf berth. Some seem more interested in being proven right than seeing the team thrive

[General]

Match Day and on my way to the Emirates.
I refuse to get drawn into any arguments.
Criticisms of the team and manager can wait until another day.

Tonight is what it’s all about - knock out football at the highest level. Time to get behind the team and the manager. Any other “modern day noise” can wait to another day.

Come on the Arsenal !

Pulse check

[Midz]

Right on the mark it's a cup competition at the highest level and it ain't every day you get Real Madrid at your stadium.

Come on the Arsenal !

[Sid33]

Madrid 13/5 Bayern 1/1

[OneBardGooner]

I
Hope
This
Is
One
Of
Those
Games
And
Occasions
That
Is
Memorable
For
All
The
Right
Reasons
Rather
Than
All
The
Bad
#COYG

[Retro Gunner]

You’re either inebriated or trolling.

https://x.com/BBCSport/status/1909547410780463325

Theres a respect and dignity policy on the forum, Im going to adhere to it here and say no more.

Sorry to bruise your ego, you did mention pub. The world has gone woke and we need to get back to calling people out on their foolishness.

Statistically we are ranked 3rd favourites. What do you say to this or are you going to continue to cling onto your doom and gloom outlook?

It will be interesting to see how this debate ages. Only 8 days to wait.

I'm under no illusion of the task at hand.
I'm not a blind follower or a cultist as DB likes to jab at me from arm's length whilst keeping his head below the parapet.
But I never understand this routine wave of negativity before games. Sure the team has well documented deficiencies but it’s a cup competition and we’ve shown we can compete hence qf berth. Some seem more interested in being proven right than seeing the team thrive

Surely there has to be a basis for optimism and especially when you're up against the likes of Real Madrid. Given our general uninspiring performances this season, our desperate lack of firepower up front, the reorganisation required in defence (especially missing Gabriel, who has been the stand out defender this term) and our historic failures in Europe, it's hardly surprising that many, including me, don't expect this tie to go well. As for it being a cup competition, Arteta hardly has the Midas touch in those does he?

We struggle in Europe against even half decent sides, but apart from 2006, we always fold against the big boys and last year was a prime example. For once we faced a Bayern side that were having an off season, but we went out with our usual whimper.

What too many rose tinters cant work out, is that having the ability to analyse football as an adult, does not equal wanting the Arsenal to lose and neither does it diminish the joy when we win. As xgtdec said, it was mindless belief and baseless optimism that kept the Old Fraud in place for 10 years too long and I'd argue that it's my love of the club and my desire to want us to be a truly dominant force, that means I can't willingly accept mediocrity and delude myself that whatever the current status quo might be, it's the right one to make us winners. That's why Arteta should be gone at the season's end if we win nothing....again.

[SteveO 35]

When we get a dodgy ref call in this tie I don’t want to hear any bleating about it. Ultimately because we have no out and out striker it will be our own fault. Is that clear?

I think Limerick's conspiracy theories are up there with Le Tissier's. Do you think the jab you got during COVID was just a ploy so the government could microchip you and track what you're doing mate. Can't imagine how painful it must be to be so paranoid every day lol

Not only is every PL ref out to get us but now it's all the European ones too

We could do with a Le Tissier in this side.

One problem mate - he's one of those striker types. You know the sort- selfish, scored goals etc. Why would anyone want one of those when you can have 5 left backs and 5 holding midfielders

[Sid33]

I'm going 1-4 with Arteta telling us we can still go through!
I won't be watching, check score at HT then FT when I get up at 5.40 for work

[SteveO 35]

I’m hearing Zinchenko left back. Partey right back. Kiwior centre back. Sterling right wing.

I'm hearing April Fools Day was a bloody week ago!!

Seriously if Partey is right back we might as well pack it in now.

Kiwior - probably little choice unless one of Timber or White go there with the other at RB.

Zinchenko would be an enormous mistake. Play MLS and if worried about burn out play Tierney and Zinchenko in the league as we gave that up months ago

[mcdowell42]

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.

Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Trossard, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Nwaneri.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Rodrygo, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior

[Gunner Rob]

Unbelievable atmosphere around the ground this evening - there are thousands of Madrid fans, most presumably without a ticket.

[rodders999]

Kiwior - big night for you buddy. Don’t lets us down.