Apr 20
Today’s match against Chelsea is a captain’s match. Key players missing (Henry/Sol), tough opponent (Lampard), big psychological warfare element. The captain really needs to ‘own’ this one.
It’s also a big match for Wenger. Can he match Mourinho? Can he win the chessmatch?
Sure, other players all have roles but win or lose, I’ll be looking first at those two. I think they both have it in them to win their respective battles.
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Apr 19
In today’s Sun, Jose Antonio Reyes said this:
?We drew 2-2 with Chelsea earlier this season and that result left a bad taste in our mouths because we deserved to win that game.
?Now we will try to pay them back ? with interest.”
Wow, strong words! I feel a tinge of excitement hearing them.
Unfortunately I’ve been left with an opposite feeling when I see JAR on the pitch lately. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of fight in him. He kicks the ball, runs after it, falls down a lot, doesn’t always find the right pass.
I really want...
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Apr 18
Seven games left (6-EPL, 1-FA Cup). If you’re not excited you’re not paying attention. What an unbelievable final couple of weeks. There is tons of drama right now:
Reyes - Will he stay or go?
Defense - Sol/Senderos/Kolo, which two start?
Midfield - Will Edu stay?
Keeper - Stick with Lehmann or get somebody new?
FA Cup - Silverware for us, or Man U>?
EPL - Second place or third?
Youngsters - Cesc, RvP, Flamini; Will any start next year?
Even younger youngsters - What about Quincy, Aliadiere, Lupoli, Bentley?
New players - Who...
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Apr 17
So, my gutty little NAC Breda take on big, bad Chelsea in the Champions League (this is an update from last week’s post regarding my EA FIFA gaming).
In the first leg I go to Stamford bridge and fall behind 1-0, only to fight back to take a 2-1 lead. In the second half they get the equaliser, but I’m feeling pretty good about the draw and two away goals. I played a 4-3-1-2 formation and for the most part it worked.
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Apr 16
As stated, be patiented with the kids, they may not be consistent at times, yet given time, eventually they will come around. Imagine had Wenger pressed the panic button and bought ourseleves a new defender or forward during the past transfer window, we wouldn’t be able to see van Persie’s two great goals in the FA Cup semi today, and prove the talent he has. Make no mistake, at this early stage of his career, when he’s still very much learning his trade, there will be days he go disappeared in a match. Yet as I said, be patiented.
Have to take the hat off for Blackburn’s...
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Apr 16
Arsenal had too much class for Blackburn today, running out 3-0 winners. One by Pires (42′) and two in the last 10 minutes by van Persie.
He’s Dutch, so he’s always going to get the benefit of the doubt from me, but I’ve believed in RvP even when others were saying get rid of him (because of one red card).
He might not have as much talent as Reyes (though it’s close), but he’s loads tougher and he wants to score. Reyes looks like he’s more concerned with not getting hurt.
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Apr 16
I just finished seeing -Liverpool Vs Juventus. As a casual observer,I tend to understand the game much better seeing it this way.
And I am surprised to see liverpool,go through.I agree that Juventus played badly,but to see a team which we have been dominating for sometime now,got me to think.
I mean they are under a new coach,a squad weaker then our’s and with there top players missing.How did liverpool reach to the semi finals of the champions league,something which we have not achieved, even in our best of forms.
Having said that,I am not going totally belittle our...
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Apr 15
A string of solid performances leaves the Arsenal ready for the FA Cup semifinal tomorrow. The game has been pretty low key around here, but this is a huge game. An Arsenal victory means an appearance in the final of a major tournament.
Henry is out so JA Reyes gets his shot. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this guy hasn?t exactly been earning his paycheck for the last, oh, five months. A lot of pressure here, but he needs to step up in a big way tomorrow.
Blackburn aren?t exactly setting the EPL on fire, but I don?t think this is going to be a walk in the park either....
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Apr 15
In response to Rick’s previous post, I agree with everything you said.
But let’s also not forget - football is all about PASSION. If I want entertainment, I would go to cinema instead. Yet in football, why does the home team need to leave a section available for the away fans? Because fans love to give each other stick, that’s part of what makes football fun.
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Apr 15
No excuses, no sour grapes, just respect.
Chelsea knocked off the Bundesliga and La Liga leaders to get to the semis. Liverpool knocked off the Italian League leaders. Both teams earned their way to the semis.
Holland has put a team in both the Champions League and UEFA Cup semi-finals. A Portuguese team is in a European semi-final for the third straight season. Kind of makes those “we need to go out a buy a big name” arguments ring a little hollow.
I’m not going to go into a big “here’s what Arsenal need to do” rant. There’s nothing...
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