Pretend they're European
Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Pretend they're European
By Boris Mellor
April 28 2009
In the late 19th Century, a thick fog covered the English Channel for several days and all shipping ground to a halt, "Europe Isolated", read the Times headline. Now I am quite aware we are in Europe, but we are not playing the game on mainland Europe. I prefer real European games, where the opposition has name like AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Pretend they're European
April 28 2009
In the late 19th Century, a thick fog covered the English Channel for several days and all shipping ground to a halt, "Europe Isolated", read the Times headline. Now I am quite aware we are in Europe, but we are not playing the game on mainland Europe. I prefer real European games, where the opposition has name like AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
When as a boy I dreamed of Arsenal playing great European teams I did not think of Manchester United, they were yet to win the big cup. I dreamt of Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, and Inter Milan. Later it would be Ajax and Barcelona.
No disrespect to Manchester United but they were a team we played in the cup, or in the league once they got out of the second division. No European nights are about going off to Italy or Spain and being told that we have no chance of winning, then coming back with a great result such as the ones at Real, AC, Inter, Juve and so on.
Those were real European games against mainland European opposition. Games which Arsenal played with careful defence and incisive attack. None of this mad roller coaster stuff. I do not think I could stand a repeat of the Anfield game again, sure four away goals will be very handy, but we don't have Arshavin this time.
So when I say Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe I am not just stating the obvious, I mean it must be a scientific approach. They must use their heads and not their hearts.
Man U may target Walcott, but keep calm it is doubtful that an European referee will let them get away with it for too long. Nor should we believe that Man U will be ultra careful, they have good defenders but they will be looking for goals. Two two against Porto still gave them victory.Clearly, Arsenal will need an away goal or two to have the best chance, but whatever the score remember it is only half time when the whistle blows on 90 minutes. A decent result and it will be all to play for at Arsenal.
It is a pity that Clichy and Gallas are not available, but as I have said before its better to play as good as you can and forget those who cannot play. Silvestre will need a late test, RvP and Clichy could be back for the second leg.
Fabregas up front could compensate for the missing Arshavin, and the not too hot form of Adebayor. However, the big man does like scoring in Europe, so he needs to forget he is playing in England, as does the rest of the team. They need not fear any big team in Europe, and with that approach they can beat Man U over two legs.Possible Squad: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Nasri, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Walcott, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Eduardo, Bendtner, Diaby, Vela, Ramsey, Eboue.
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Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 28/04/2009 16:48
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:30:21:00:17 by Padre Pio.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:30:21:00:17 by Padre Pio.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Blaine (IP Logged)
Date: 28/04/2009 17:43
I'm still very uneasy about our defence. And neither would I want to have to go through the emotional roller-coaster like at Anfield.
I'll take a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 win to us. If we should lose, I would rather 1-0 or 2-1. Those scorelines aren't so much of a mountain going into the 2nd leg.
I'll take a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 win to us. If we should lose, I would rather 1-0 or 2-1. Those scorelines aren't so much of a mountain going into the 2nd leg.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: ArsenalForever (IP Logged)
Date: 28/04/2009 17:50
I would be happy if utd dont have a 2 goal advantage going into the 2nd leg
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 28/04/2009 21:31
our defense has me worried. very uneasy about this game.the stakes are really high and i must say hope being the underdog in this game will pay off.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 02:38
Spot on Boris.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 06:34
Its down to how we defend,and I agree Eoro nights were about the romantic names.Thats why the CL is such a farce,it should go back to the team that wins its domestic league.It would be interesting to see how many times since this formats inception the winners actually were their countries champions.
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Chapman's Ghost (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 10:03
It shouldn't be called the Champions League. It's a misleading name. When Manu won it 99 they weren't EPL
winners the previous year. It should be for champions
only but money is involved so that will never happen.
winners the previous year. It should be for champions
only but money is involved so that will never happen.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: H.C (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 13:39
For those of you (us) getting sweaty about tonight. Remember some of these:
Sampdoria (a)
Parma (n)
Auxerre (a)
Juventus (a,1980, 2006)
Roma (a x 2)
Internazionale (a)
Real Madrid (a)
Villareal (a x 2)
AC Milan (a)
Come on you Yellooooooooooooows
Sampdoria (a)
Parma (n)
Auxerre (a)
Juventus (a,1980, 2006)
Roma (a x 2)
Internazionale (a)
Real Madrid (a)
Villareal (a x 2)
AC Milan (a)
Come on you Yellooooooooooooows
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Goofle11 (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 16:12
Quote:Chapman's Ghost
It shouldn't be called the Champions League. It's a misleading name. When Manu won it 99 they weren't EPL
winners the previous year. It should be for champions
only but money is involved so that will never happen.
no
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: PKGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 16:21
Quote:Chapman's Ghost
It shouldn't be called the Champions League. It's a misleading name. When Manu won it 99 they weren't EPL
winners the previous year. It should be for champions
only but money is involved so that will never happen.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2009 22:40
HC you left out Valencia - only joking, not a bad performance considering
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2009 10:35
Well we played like we were in Europe,problem is the game was at OT
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2009 18:23
We didnt play like we were in Europe at all. No rock staedy defence and piercing breakaways - more like in the Carling cup
Re: Arsenal must play as if they are in Europe
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 16/06/2009 07:29
Well Barcelona played like they were in Europe and it worked for them
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