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.
SteveO 35 wrote:Ahh yes, the CL group stage borefest.....always there to gloss over another PL disappointment and help to convince the Self Harmer that his Barca-Zero approach will one day lead us to the biggest prize in European football.
I couldn't give a flying about this bloated crap competition - a seeding system with dead rubbers played in Nov and Dec in front of half empty stadia.......zzzzzzzzzzz........I think I'd prefer an England friendly
Couldn't give a fuck - whats the point in striving to qualify for a competition for 9 months that you then spend 3 months of the Summer destroying any hope you'll ever have of winning it.
Bore off
Even if Abou is playing?
But sadly we already know he won't be so the one guy capable of lighting up the snooze-a-thon won't even be out there
They will probably beat us home and away, despite our "illusionary domination" of both games. After all, they won away at the German champions today....
jabberwocky wrote:Apparently Oxilade Chamberlain is out due to injury he picked up at the Norwich game. So next Weds. he won't be at the Schalke match.
Never mind, "Overall I believe that Gnabry has the qualities to be a winner....."
My one hope is that it isn't an embarrassment from a support perspective. Should be ok in the away leg as we've sold out, but it bothers me at the Grove. A repeat of those waves of empty seats against Olympiciacos.....
Seems like this has almost sold out, but with no opportunity for ST holders to sell on via ticket exchange then seems inevitable that we'll have maybe 45,000 turn up on the night once again.... Think there is a big argument to take these group games off the season ticket and use Category C pricing!
MK Gould wrote:My one hope is that it isn't an embarrassment from a support perspective. Should be ok in the away leg as we've sold out, but it bothers me at the Grove. A repeat of those waves of empty seats against Olympiciacos.....
Seems like this has almost sold out, but with no opportunity for ST holders to sell on via ticket exchange then seems inevitable that we'll have maybe 45,000 turn up on the night once again.... Think there is a big argument to take these group games off the season ticket and use Category C pricing!
Agreed. The thing is I don't understand why fans of CL clubs in this country dont take the group stage seriously at all. We are getting the chance to play other decent teams who will provide a good game with good travelling supports so I dont understand why people moan about it
Dortmund are a club of similiar siz and stature to us and look what an occasion it is for them, I dont know how the atmosphere at the Grove can be as flat for CL group games as it is for games against Coventry and Shrewsbry in the League Cup
MK Gould wrote:My one hope is that it isn't an embarrassment from a support perspective. Should be ok in the away leg as we've sold out, but it bothers me at the Grove. A repeat of those waves of empty seats against Olympiciacos.....
Seems like this has almost sold out, but with no opportunity for ST holders to sell on via ticket exchange then seems inevitable that we'll have maybe 45,000 turn up on the night once again.... Think there is a big argument to take these group games off the season ticket and use Category C pricing!
Agreed. The thing is I don't understand why fans of CL clubs in this country dont take the group stage seriously at all. We are getting the chance to play other decent teams who will provide a good game with good travelling supports so I dont understand why people moan about it
Dortmund are a club of similiar siz and stature to us and look what an occasion it is for them, I dont know how the atmosphere at the Grove can be as flat for CL group games as it is for games against Coventry and Shrewsbry in the League Cup
Because its a complete bore thats why. A seeding system that 9 times out of 10 means that by November / December we're playing meaningless dead rubber games having already qualified against teams that are already out. The same predictable boring teams like Olympiakos etc. Its just a bloated competition that you can qualify for by finishing 4th, get a top seeding on the back of a 5 year historical performance co-efficient that some bod at UEFA calculates, and it over-rewards mediocrity. Its been bloated to give additional sponsorship, TV and prize money so that the big clubs from each country rarely miss out - the message is finish 4th and we'll reward you. Its a tired and boring format
People love the thrill of knock-out football. Why do small clubs love the FA Cup so much? Because they get one shot at glory. Make them play a six game group stage on a seeded basis where they have no chance of winning and see how that sets the pulse racing?
Nobody gives a shit until the likes of Nordsjaelland etc have long since been eliminated and the real stuff begins in February. Sadly its at that point our interest comes to an end
Does is really matter what the score is in this game? We all know we do not have a cat in hells chance of winning this competition with this manager and these players. Champions league games are almost as dull now as England qualifying games. Totally boring.
I'd agree that group format doesn't help. And the fact that we've been in it so many times does make us complacent..... Clubs like schalke & dortmund don't get to play in this every season so bound to be more excited about it when they do. You think barca & Madrid fans get excited by the group stage....? No!
As for not getting excited because we're unlikely to win it..... Oh woe is us! There are dozens of clubs up & down the country who stand feck all chance of winning the fa cup or league, but they enjoy & celebrate all the same. You just have to celebrate tthe odd victories against the like of Milan & barca. Of course we're not going to win the competition but we can still enjoy a good run!
MK Gould wrote:I'd agree that group format doesn't help. And the fact that we've been in it so many times does make us complacent..... Clubs like schalke & dortmund don't get to play in this every season so bound to be more excited about it when they do. You think barca & Madrid fans get excited by the group stage....? No!
As for not getting excited because we're unlikely to win it..... Oh woe is us! There are dozens of clubs up & down the country who stand feck all chance of winning the fa cup or league, but they enjoy & celebrate all the same. You just have to celebrate tthe odd victories against the like of Milan & barca. Of course we're not going to win the competition but we can still enjoy a good run!
Exactly - thats why people enjoy the CL i.e. when it gets to the knockout stages and we have a two leg opportunity against a top club, and why everyone's bored shitless by beating Olympiacos at home in the Autumn before sending an U-21 side over there in December for a meaningless game
Just bring in the two legged from the start - the Groups are so fucking boring its a joke. Asking people to fork out £50 quid for a matchday 5/6 game when you're already through or out, and you'll continue to get subdued atmospheres at half full stadia
SteveO 35 wrote:Ahh yes, the CL group stage borefest.....always there to gloss over another PL disappointment and help to convince the Self Harmer that his Barca-Zero approach will one day lead us to the biggest prize in European football.
I couldn't give a flying about this bloated crap competition - a seeding system with dead rubbers played in Nov and Dec in front of half empty stadia.......zzzzzzzzzzz........I think I'd prefer an England friendly
Couldn't give a fuck - whats the point in striving to qualify for a competition for 9 months that you then spend 3 months of the Summer destroying any hope you'll ever have of winning it.
Bore off
Have to agree 100%
I have season ticket and couldn't be bothered with the Greek game and neither with this Wednesday's game.
The whole of the group stages have become a real bore and to be fair I find many of Arsenal's games hardwork to watch.
One upfront at home, no urgency, no passion, pass pass pass, substitutions at the 70-75 min mark etc etc
It's all become very predictable...........is a real shame
SteveO 35 wrote:Ahh yes, the CL group stage borefest.....always there to gloss over another PL disappointment and help to convince the Self Harmer that his Barca-Zero approach will one day lead us to the biggest prize in European football.
I couldn't give a flying about this bloated crap competition - a seeding system with dead rubbers played in Nov and Dec in front of half empty stadia.......zzzzzzzzzzz........I think I'd prefer an England friendly
Couldn't give a fuck - whats the point in striving to qualify for a competition for 9 months that you then spend 3 months of the Summer destroying any hope you'll ever have of winning it.
Bore off
Have to agree 100%
I have season ticket and couldn't be bothered with the Greek game and neither with this Wednesday's game.
The whole of the group stages have become a real bore and to be fair I find many of Arsenal's games hardwork to watch.
One upfront at home, no urgency, no passion, pass pass pass, substitutions at the 70-75 min mark etc etc
It's all become very predictable...........is a real shame
Agree with this also, I haven't been to one of them on my season ticket since the Udinese qualifying game last season, a total fucking borefest which the club can stick up their greedy arsehole.
franksav63 wrote:
Agree with this also, I haven't been to one of them on my season ticket since the Udinese qualifying game last season, a total fucking borefest which the club can stick up their greedy arsehole.
