As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
safcftm wrote:For me, this will be a very interesting game from the point of view of seeing what, if anything Arsene Wenger has learned. Last time against Barcelona he tried to play the usual Arsenal way, but being the best footballing side in the prem isnt enough against a side like them. He needs to change his approach, especially in the away leg, and it will be interesting to see if he has the tactical nous and the players to do it.
Typical that Chelsea get the fucking easy game against Copenhagen mind!
Have always considered you a genuine poster on this forum, but are you taking the the fucking piss.
you never know, he might spring a surprise. For the away leg I think he will know that he can't afford to have two up front, and this will give him an interesting decision to make with regards to his midfielders. Personally i think it has to be Song, Denilson and Fabregas in central midfield (I might well get abuse for that however!)- the wide midfielders are another interesting choice- he can't have out and out attackers on there since that would expose the full backs too much, but equally because the full backs will be pinned in the defensive third for large periods of the game, he cant have overly defensive wingers or he will end up not being able to get out.
The problem is that Theo is a good option for the counter attack purely for his pace, but he doesnt offer enough defensively and so is a liability- he could opt for Nasri as a slightly less out and out attacking winger, but Nasri is hardly someone who has a great deal of defensive awareness. You could play him on the right, but then I think it would be best not to have an attacker like Van Persie on the other side since there would need to be balance. Getting the right combination of wide midfielders will be a very interesting problem for Wenger, and I'll be interested to see how he handles it.
If he opts not to have Van Persie on the left, I'd play him up front. No point in having Chamakh imo because crosses will be few and far between and he doesnt hold the ball up well enough to impact on the game, you're better keeping it short and hoping RVP can pull something unexpected out, which he always has in his locker. With him up front though, are you left with Rosicky on the left? Choices , choices! As I say, tactically i will be very interested to see how Wenger approaches it. If he goes and tries to play the "usual Arsenal style" Barca will win comfortably, but if he mixes it up, you have the players to cause them problems
SAFC, all excellent pints, I consider Theo need sa good run now, he is stronger but needs a little more self-belief. RVP just play him along the secong line, at least he heads direct to goal mosttimes.
If I go, I am looking forward to the funeral of the sardine on Wednesday. Or I mght be presuaded to join the tennis clique.
For those who like it shrill one should go to El Carnaval in Sitges which is approximately 15 kilometres away. In the gay and lesbian stronghold the atmosphere is very shrill and eccentric, and the parade is unique. In Sitges, the Carnival has been celebrated for over 100 years.
We woulda got Lech Poznan if we'd finished 3rd, woulda been a sweet trip! Pretty jealous that Citeh get to go to Aris to be honest, its one of the grounds that i'd love to visit...
The pluses of going to barca again would be to pay £70 to watch subbuteo... Oh thats not much of a plus that.. In a shithole of a stadium.
So all in all at least it will be sunny??