CL Night
Milan: Boys Against Men?
CL Night
By AJ The Gunner December 23 2007
AJ the Gunner looks ahead to the mouth watering tie with last years big cup holders from an African viewpoint. It’s the end of the road for Arsenal in this year’s Champions League so said almost every football pundit in Africa the minute Arsenal were drawn to play defending champions AC Milan in the knock out stages of the CL.
CL Night
AJ the Gunner looks ahead to the mouth watering tie with last years big cup holders from an African viewpoint. It’s the end of the road for Arsenal in this year’s Champions League so said almost every football pundit in Africa the minute Arsenal were drawn to play defending champions AC Milan in the knock out stages of the CL.
However, as they say it is 11 against 11 so what makes everyone so sure Milan will beat us? For sure, its boys against men but in football nothing is ever guaranteed until the game is over. What I am sure of is that Wenger could have avoided this tough draw if he had played a stronger team against Sevilla in Spain after the team he fielded against Slavia could only manage a draw.
(In addition, I am sure we could have lost game against Villa if he had done that. Ed)
I am weary of this fixture, not that I am running scared of Milan but for the fact that by the time this game takes place, League fixtures will be coming fast and thick in all competitions. Who is to say all our top players will be fit and ready for this battle. The Italian leagues go on break and come back fresher while the battle rages in the English league. Milan will strengthen in January as they claim while some of our players will be away for the African Nations Cup.
Wenger sounded bullish about this fixture when he stated that he believes we can knock AC Milan out. Call me a pessimist but I will be positively sure about this if all our players are fit and mentally strong enough to take on this challenge, after all no one gave us a chance against Juventus and Madrid and we knocked them both out.
Experience wise Milan are way ahead of our young guns as most have rightly pointed out that we are on the opposite end of the experience scale. After all, we are talking about the World and European Champions, plus the fact that they have a rich pedigree in this competition having reached three Champions League Finals in the last five years.Where Adriano Galliani believes his “old men” [as he called them] to best Arsenal’s young prodigies, there may lie our strength, if we can take advantage of our youthful speed, and one touch passing skills.
AC Milan can really be average in the championship but always raise their game on big occasions, so one shouldn’t be fooled by that. Wenger also pointed out that they look invincible in Europe, but as long as they are beatable in Italy, then they can be beaten.
This no doubt will be our toughest test so far; a game that will prove whether the Boys have indeed become Men. Knock Milan out and the sky will not even be our limit. Knock them out and we will strike fear in the heart of every other opposition. I believe we can do this if we do not let Milan force us to play their game; and of course if all our players are fit for this battle, which will start at the Emirates and end at the San Siro.
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Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: younghansolo (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:23:18:51:57
I have to say I watched the recent game against Celtic and I remember thinking to myself that if we were to get Milan, we could beat them. They look old and slow compared to our standards, however they have a wonderful midfield and i suspect they will score against us at some point. I just hope we can hold our nerve and play to our strengths, the ones you point out AJ.
Arsenal; Forever English and Proud of it.
Arsenal; Forever English and Proud of it.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: weedz (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:23:19:46:12
AC will use that experience to shape this game `speed` wise. Trying to keep the ball from us and forcing us into mistakes by close man to man marking in the MF. They do have a major problem though. Even if they buy some speed in the January window, it will take more time than what they`ve got to settle a new player into their system. It is a very tough draw there is no doubt, but I do not blame AW for his team selection in the Savilla game. He was hamped by injuries, RvP,Alex, Billy G and Ade. Loosing Cesc duing the game. On top of that we played quite averagely even for a side with up to 5 starting players out. I will say here and now, it is impossible for a top european club to go through a season and win every game or remain unbeaten in all competitions. What you`ve got hope is that your loses don`t cost you too much.
The reason, if we lose against AC, will be that our young guns don`t believe they can win. It will be in the top 2 inches for us because if it just comes down to pace and skill we will kick their asses home and away. And I for one think AW can and will have our team mentaly ready for this challenge.
The reason, if we lose against AC, will be that our young guns don`t believe they can win. It will be in the top 2 inches for us because if it just comes down to pace and skill we will kick their asses home and away. And I for one think AW can and will have our team mentaly ready for this challenge.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: Bwana Wenger (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:23:20:37:46
We will come out just fine boys. Trust Allah. We will.
_______________________________________
Arsenal 2008/2009 Season : P38, W31, D7, L0
The Invincibles, Reloaded.
The Real Treble Winners. No Fluke. No Luck. Just Class.
We have to be more ruthless, nasty, unmercifull, pitiless, mean-spirit and everything else. We have to win pretty, and we have to win ugly. Take no prisoners. That should be our motto. HG (Aug17,08)
_______________________________________
Arsenal 2008/2009 Season : P38, W31, D7, L0
The Invincibles, Reloaded.
The Real Treble Winners. No Fluke. No Luck. Just Class.
We have to be more ruthless, nasty, unmercifull, pitiless, mean-spirit and everything else. We have to win pretty, and we have to win ugly. Take no prisoners. That should be our motto. HG (Aug17,08)
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: weedz (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:23:20:41:49
Is he our new technical coach?
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:23:21:26:11
I am confident about us knocking out AC Milan, not over confident, but confident enough.
I agree with AJ in that this is our biggest test so far.
The key to beat AC is for our players to go out on the pitch the belive that they can beat Milan and play to thier best, not only that but we have to be very strong defensively as clean sheets are vital in the CL.
Emirates Stadium: The New Home of Football
I agree with AJ in that this is our biggest test so far.
The key to beat AC is for our players to go out on the pitch the belive that they can beat Milan and play to thier best, not only that but we have to be very strong defensively as clean sheets are vital in the CL.
Emirates Stadium: The New Home of Football
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:23:21:28:10
one thing we must perfect also is our defensive frailities.we've been conceding goals,gallas and kolo have been all over the place.for one we won't have kolo but whoever partners gallas if he stays fit plus the entire team must start to defend as a unit just like we did through out our run to the finals in paris.[don't trust our present defense as against nzagi]sure they will man mark and like they say the fear of kaka is the beginning of wisdom.so flamini or whoever wenger chooses must battle gatuso whose duty is to create distractions so that kaka will roam free to score.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:24:00:21:43
A fit and on-form Van Persie.
A fit and on-form Hleb-Fabegas-Flamini-Rosicky.
They should fear us as we are going to score in every match we played.
We have the squad to ensure no player is mentally and physically exhausted come February.
Yes, a well-rest Milan, but rusty after winter break.
On the other hand, a battle-ready Arsenal gaining expeience in every match they played.
Still along way off and with all our players fit, we fear no one.
Milan should fear us instead.....like Real, Juve and Inter.
A fit and on-form Hleb-Fabegas-Flamini-Rosicky.
They should fear us as we are going to score in every match we played.
We have the squad to ensure no player is mentally and physically exhausted come February.
Yes, a well-rest Milan, but rusty after winter break.
On the other hand, a battle-ready Arsenal gaining expeience in every match they played.
Still along way off and with all our players fit, we fear no one.
Milan should fear us instead.....like Real, Juve and Inter.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:24:09:41:36
yes Merlion.the key words is being "FIT"; mentally and physically battle ready.i just hope so cos injuries can wreck havoc to a well thought out plan.who will partner gallas? as our defense is also key to this game.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:24:10:01:04
AJ, do not underestimate Senderos, and over-estimate Kolo.
Milan has guile and knew Kolo's weakness is his panicky tendency in any melee in the box.
Plus Kolo's weakness in reading and cutting off well-flighted diagonal crosses.
The key in protecting our Back-4 is still our midfielders like Glberto or Flamini or Diarra or even Denilson sitting in front of them to break-up attacks.
Effectively, withotu Kolo, the team should be:
....................Almunia
...Sagna....Senderos......Gallas....Clichy
............Fabregas......Flamini
...Hleb........Van Persie........Rosicky
...................Adebayor
it depends very much on teh perpetual motion of FLamini to break-up lays and to protect Senderos-Gallas agaisnt fast-breaking MIlan with Kaka and Pirlo passing.
Similarly, Fabregas is mobile enough to battle it out with gattuso who I am very such is assigned to hack and kick Fabregas out of the game.
Van Persie is excellent coming in deep, making shootign space, and best of all, has the "fotball brian" to link-up with Hleb-Fabregas-Rosicky play-making and passing ability.
With Adebayor his usual self disrupting Milan Defence, plus his pressing game of chasing after every balls when he loses it....which will disrupt Mlan counter-attacking tactics.
Hleb, Flamini and Rosicky will take turn to harass Kaka to stop him from playing.
Really, the battle will be in MIDFIELD, with Senderos-Gallas sweeping up all those loose balls and hurried passes due to our MIDFIELD pressing game.
benitze knew this Wenegr's tactic, hence hsi rushing of Alonso-MAscherano Defensive Partnerhsip to battle it out wth Fabregas-Flamini in midfield.
Pity then at Anfield we will missing Van Persie, Hleb and Rosicky to tear their Defence to shreds with fabregas-Flamini holding up Alonso-Mascherano.
Yes, correct..FIT si the keyword come February.
We always seem to come undone, lost our premierhsip title challenge in February for the past 2 or 3 seasons, due to a thin squad, and overtly and wholly dependent on Henry.
Milan has guile and knew Kolo's weakness is his panicky tendency in any melee in the box.
Plus Kolo's weakness in reading and cutting off well-flighted diagonal crosses.
The key in protecting our Back-4 is still our midfielders like Glberto or Flamini or Diarra or even Denilson sitting in front of them to break-up attacks.
Effectively, withotu Kolo, the team should be:
....................Almunia
...Sagna....Senderos......Gallas....Clichy
............Fabregas......Flamini
...Hleb........Van Persie........Rosicky
...................Adebayor
it depends very much on teh perpetual motion of FLamini to break-up lays and to protect Senderos-Gallas agaisnt fast-breaking MIlan with Kaka and Pirlo passing.
Similarly, Fabregas is mobile enough to battle it out with gattuso who I am very such is assigned to hack and kick Fabregas out of the game.
Van Persie is excellent coming in deep, making shootign space, and best of all, has the "fotball brian" to link-up with Hleb-Fabregas-Rosicky play-making and passing ability.
With Adebayor his usual self disrupting Milan Defence, plus his pressing game of chasing after every balls when he loses it....which will disrupt Mlan counter-attacking tactics.
Hleb, Flamini and Rosicky will take turn to harass Kaka to stop him from playing.
Really, the battle will be in MIDFIELD, with Senderos-Gallas sweeping up all those loose balls and hurried passes due to our MIDFIELD pressing game.
benitze knew this Wenegr's tactic, hence hsi rushing of Alonso-MAscherano Defensive Partnerhsip to battle it out wth Fabregas-Flamini in midfield.
Pity then at Anfield we will missing Van Persie, Hleb and Rosicky to tear their Defence to shreds with fabregas-Flamini holding up Alonso-Mascherano.
Yes, correct..FIT si the keyword come February.
We always seem to come undone, lost our premierhsip title challenge in February for the past 2 or 3 seasons, due to a thin squad, and overtly and wholly dependent on Henry.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:24:10:20:18
alas your back with henry again.his not around so according to your books theirs hope come february.much i i don't trust senderos, his best games are in europe but with nzaghi...i wonder.
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:24:12:59:57
MIDFIELD AJ.
The keyword is MDIFIELD to protect back-4 against fast-breaking Inzaghi.
And with Gallas cleaning up the pieces.
The balls got to reach Inzaghi first isn't it?
Notice in all our games, our players instantly pounced onto any opponents having the ball preventing them from turning and shooting?
Curiosu..
How many goals we had conceded in the box, and how many from outside the box?
The keyword is MDIFIELD to protect back-4 against fast-breaking Inzaghi.
And with Gallas cleaning up the pieces.
The balls got to reach Inzaghi first isn't it?
Notice in all our games, our players instantly pounced onto any opponents having the ball preventing them from turning and shooting?
Curiosu..
How many goals we had conceded in the box, and how many from outside the box?
Re: Milan: Boys Against Men?
Posted by: lovefire (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:12:24:14:26:16
it wud be more like milan grandpas against arsenal men!
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