This is it then, the return of Pat Vieira. Its going to be emotional for all involved and could bring out the best in him, but also our own players. I’m harbouring thoughts of Gilberto wanting to prove a point that he is still a player without our old captain, but I may be thinking to highly there!
One thing that has been glossed over in the build up so far is about Thierry Henry. Yes, everyone has said Juve are troubled by pace at the back and the focus is on PV4’s return, but Henry is also playing one of his old clubs. A club that he left with a lot to prove. Whilst Vieira won all but, ironically, this one trophy available with us (Carling Cup doesn’t count Spurs fans!), Henry was a failure at Juventus.
Who has more of a point to prove? I have a feeling Thierry may be up for this one!
Juve will be without Nedved and Del Piero today and we are without our usual suspects as well. For Nedved, read Ljungberg due to their influence and sense of the big stage and whilst Del Piero has been on the wane for some years, he has been back on form this season. It can only help to have these two class players out of the side, but Juve are still a tremendous threat, Camoranesi especially seems to be put in the shadow by the big name players in front of his wide right berth, but is an awesome player.
Whilst I feel that the quarter final will not be won or lost at Highbury - think of how many of the previous rounds ties could have been back to square one with a goal from the relevant side - it is important to get a goal. I think our defence will come under more pressure from a Juve side that is far more efficient than either Madrid, or indeed ourselves. Juve have a potent mix of individual brilliance and a hive like mind set that benefits them as a team. But remember, they are an Italian side playing away from home! They are far more pragmatic than we would be and also Madrid in a similar fixture. Whilst I’m not saying they will play for a draw, if its 0-0 I think they would be happy but over 90 minutes I can see them scoring. However, with a fired up TH14 and hopefully Reyes to frieghten with his pace in our 4-5-1 CL standard formation, I can see us getting goals too.
Away goals however, are an overrated phenomenon. They seem to put far more fear into teams and supporters than is necessary. If Arsenal win 3-1 tomorrow but lose 1-0 in Turin we go through. If we win 2-1 tomorrow but draw 0-0 over there, we also go through. Away goals only become the be all and end all on aggregate and over 2 legs in this tie I think one side will outscore or shut out the other one without having to rely on this hyped up rule. I’m not saying they are irrrelevant, but imagine the perception on wednesday morning if its 1-1 tomorrow night. Fine, its 1-1, but the media will only talk of an away goal. If we then go to Italy and win 1-0, we go through, making the away goal obselete. Lets talk about away goals if they look like an issue in Turins’ second 45 minutes, not before we’ve even kicked off!
So, a far more tense night than the final throes of the Galacticos era served up for us, but without Nedved and Del Piero, thus helping to balance the injury accounts of both sides somewhat, I am going for a 1-1 or 2-1 victory for the Arsenal.
9 Responses to “Juventus Preview”
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March 28th, 2006 at 7:20 am
OK, in my opinion the away goal is massive.
If we win 1 - 0 tonight, when we go to Italy, Juve need to be careful that we dont score again, otherwise they will need three, see Boro and Liverpool as examples.
It is 1 - 1 at home, then we HAVE to score in Juve, no matter what to get a result.
These perceptions of having to score goals, add pressure and affect the way to look at the game and the tactics.
I would also predict that we will play a 4 - 4 -2 formation. the main reason for this is the personnel we have available. Reyes is coming back from injury and might not be fit enough for 90 mins so Pires might start on the left. It would then mean we would have to play Walcott on the right and Hleb in the middle or Diaby or Song who dont have the big game experience.
Cue Van Perise and DB10. Both of these strikers can play as the second striker and can score goals. They can come back into midfield to help out but by playing in front of the defenders they will draw one of the centre midfield two and remove the pressure on the AFC midfield.
Lets hope AFC win and dont conceed, trust me it is important.
March 28th, 2006 at 7:38 am
Hi chalfie, cheers for the comments. I do rate away goals, the fact you can be knocked out of a competition by them means they cant be ignored! but i’d rather talk about them IF they become and issue and the main point i want to get across is that if Juve score, it makes it harder, but it shouldnt be a depressing monster hanging over our heads!!
If anyone liked the article, please check out http://thearseclub.blogspot.com where I run the site and post regularly.
COME ON YOU GOONERS
March 28th, 2006 at 7:42 am
Henry already proved is point back in 2001-2002 when we beat them 3-1 at highbury. He scored a free kick. I don’t think he could really care less. Still, it’s his old club and that will it special by itself. Even if he was only there for about two days.
I was watching a replay of the game at highbury four years ago and the only players that were playing then that are at Juventus now are Buffon, Thuram, Zambrotta, Nedved, Trezeguet, and Del Piero. Both Nedved and Del Piero will be absent. Both were threatening to an extent at highbury. Zambrotta, Trezequet, and Thurman were unremarkable. However Trezeguet was then being marked by a quite brilliant Sol Campbell, the 2002 all-conquering version.
Their central midfield that night was Tudor and Tacchinardi with Davids replacing Tudor. Davids/Tacchinardi or Emerson/Vieira? Emerson and Vieira is better but Vieira that night, while in fine physical fettle, gave the ball away umpteen times and didn’t really stand out. Fabregas keeps the ball so much better than him, although Vieira was great defensively then. Time will tell whether which central midfield pairing will rule the roost.
Arsenal back then were a very physical team that played in fits and starts. Those little thrusts troubled juventus. Parlour and Vieira were rough and rumbunctious. What attacks Vieira stopped he also induced due to sloppy play. Fabregas will not giveway cheap possession but will struggle to stop attacks. But I ask you, what’s easier to defend? A shock attack because of your player relinquishing possession and leaving players out of position, or having less defensive steel in midfield but everyone knowing it’s time to defend? I think the latter personally. It’s Fabregas’s time to shine once again. He has a better football brain than Emerson, Vieira, and Gilberto Silva combined.
We’re a better footballing team (play more pleasing aesthetic football) now than four years ago but we are less of a goal threat and not as aggressive. We are weaker defensively. This too close to call in my opinion. I’m leaning towards 1-1 or 2-1 either side.
March 28th, 2006 at 7:43 am
Forget about all the crap you read about how this game will be won and the rest but here are some tips for those who wanna make serious some money today.
Arsenal to win by 3 goals at 16/1. Banker.
PV will get booked in the first 20 minutes - And get send off in the second half. Huge banker.
If this match goes against us I can see PV scoring the only goal.
Up the Arse - Beat the hell out of PV.
March 28th, 2006 at 7:44 am
Dennis Bergkamp? No, no, and……No!
March 28th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Say it how it is Love G!
March 28th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Have to disagree with your comment “the game wont be won or lost at Highbury”. If we win 2-0(which we are more than capable of doing) then the game in Turin will be a breeze. Scoring 1 in turin would mean they have to score 4. Plus if Vieira, Thuram or Camorenesi get booked they miss the 2nd leg. I’ll put a tenner on Vieira getting booked. We need to start the game like Liverpool did last year against Juve. Also, Arsenal.com reveal that Ibrahimovic, Trezequet and Del Pieiro are the 3 players who were most caught offside in this years Champs League which says a lot about their tactics. How can the top three all be in 1 team! As long as the defence is alert we should be fine. Would have liked to see Campbell in there though.
March 28th, 2006 at 10:21 am
That new Arsenal TV on GolTV, which aired for the first time in North America yesterday, was wonderful for any Gunner fan.
They showed that Juve - Arsenal game from a few years ago as well as the whole Madrid game in Spain.
It was so cool to see the score, time, and info box (top corner of the TV set) in Arsenal colours. The commentary was completely objective in that subjective sort of way ? lol
I know what I?m setting my TIVO or PVR to record every Monday afternoon. I really enjoyed it as someone trying to get more info on the team and living so far abroad. Good stuff.
________________________
As for today: 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 5-4-1, 1-4-4-1,10-1, it all doesn?t matter to me as long as we come away with the win. If Henry, Van Persie or Lehmann scores, the goal that wins it for Arsenal is what I?m rooting for.
Go you Gunners,
Up the Arse, kiss the crest, keep the faith, WIN THE GAME.
March 28th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Can anyone give any info on the TV for this game in the States? I see it’s on ESPN Deportes on tape delay. Does anyone know of any Direct TV, PPV, etc. options? Sorry for the late notice, but any help would be most appreciated.