Spanish sides have been Arsenal’s bugbear in this competition, but I think this time the club are going to break through.
Celta Vigo are struggling in La Liga so some will say that the Champions League is all they have left to play for. Nonsense, what they have to play for is their domestic survival. This is a side who really only got to the 2nd phase of this competition by beating a Milan reserve side, have a new coach, some injuries and lost 2-nil on the weekend.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are more focused than a 15-year old watching the Paris Hilton tape. They have just too much offensive firepower and strength in the middle. I see Arsenal taking this one, 1-2.
The game will also be interesting for the Edu v. Gilberto debate.
If Arsenal do falter, it will be interesting to see what the anti-Gilberto faction have to say as he’s not in the squad for this game. But if Arsenal do get the job done I’m sure Coach McGuirk and his Edu Army will be out in force.
4 Responses to “Arsenal @ Celta Vigo”
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February 24th, 2004 at 7:57 am
It’s 12.54pm in London and I’ve just taken a call from members of the TBird crew who flew to Spain yesterday for the game.
They’ve pissed all their money up the wall, two have collapsed in the bar and the other two are struggling to stay awake after just three hours sleep.
3000 are expected to make the trip.
Happy days
February 24th, 2004 at 9:00 am
“Arsenal are more focused than a 15-year old watching the Paris Hilton tape. “
Nice Rick.
February 24th, 2004 at 12:11 pm
Good preview Rick. I had the the pleasure of watching Barcelona play Celta Vigo a few months ago and Celta looked like a very average team. I know the best team doesn’t always win and Arsenal have a bad record in Spain but I can’t see us getting less than a draw and I’ll be disappointed if we don’t win. I think this will also be the first time we get to see Reyes start alongside Henry which will be interesting.
Anyway, less than 3 hours to KO and I’ll soon be off to watch the game on Setanta at Champs. Pre match nerves are starting and I need a beer to relax.
Come on you Gunners.
February 24th, 2004 at 2:11 pm
The Army will be out in full force, regardless of the outcome, although it should be noted that Edu was referred to as “the Brazilian International” by the match commentator for the Chelsea-Arsenal match over the weekend.
Perhaps he knows something we don’t???