Sachin and LDE have outdone themselves with these previews! First up, Sachin:
The wait is finally over. Champions League football finally returns this week as 16 teams can briefly put their league worries on hold and focus on the glittering European prize. The original European Cup always had a strong appeal right from its inception in 1956. But in recent years, the quest for this trophy has certainly reached obsessive heights. In fact, quite a few teams have made the Champions League the most important quest of their season while letting their league form dip since winning the league title is no longer a requirement to take part in the competition like in the old days of the European Cup. For example last year even if AC Milan had not won the trophy, they would still have been in the Champions League this season as they finished in the final 4th spot required for the Champs League with 61 points, a staggering 36 points behind the league champions Inter Milan (this includes Milan’s 8 point point deduction, without which they would have been still 28 points behind).
The Champions League is once again the only trophy that Milan will be playing for this year as they are currently 21 points adrift of Inter Milan and were dumped out of the Italian Cup in January. In fact they have been in cruise mode in the league for a few weeks now, while Arsenal have been involved in a tight league championship race. Ofcourse, not withstanding this previous weekend’s game, Arsenal should return fully motived for this Wednesday’s game as they once again bid to go one better than their 2006 runner’s up spot.
This is the first meeting between Arsenal and AC Milan in European competition. Even though both teams have a proud history, this encounter has been atleast two decades in the making.
A new start in 1986
After winning the 1979 Italian league title, AC Milan went through a bad phase in the early 1980’s when they got relegated. The team’s history was forever changed when Silvio Berlusconi bought the team in 1986. His main master stroke was hiring Arrigo Sacchi from lowly Parma. Sacchi transformed the team by ushering in a new exciting playing style and leading Milan to the league title in 1988, followed by two European Cups in 1989 & 1990. The current Milan team’s origins can be traced back to that Sacchi team as Paolo Maldini evolved under Sacchi and Milan’s current coach Carlo Ancelotti was part of the European Cup winning squads in 89 & 90 (including scoring a goal in a 5-0 rout of Real Madrid in the 1989 European Cup).
The years 1979 and 1986 also stand out in Arsenal’s history. After a famous 3-2 victory over Man Utd in the 1979 F.A Cup final, Arsenal went trough a period of indifferent results and no trophies in the early 1980’s. Their success only started after former player George Graham was hired in 1986. A league Cup victory followed in 1987 before a famous league title in 1989. Arsenal went onto win another league title in 1991 (losing only one game), won both domestic cups in 1993 and championed a gritty 1-0 win in the 1994 Cup Winner’s Cup final. Arsene Wenger inherited the tough defense that George Graham created and if not for that solid backbone, then it is hard to believe Wenger would have fashioned a championship winning team so quickly in 1998.
So if there was ever a chance that two different playing styles and cultures would have clashed, it should have been in 1990 when a defensive Arsenal could have met an attack minded Milan team in the European Cup. But because of the European ban on English clubs, that meeting was not to be.
1994: Arsenal’s defense overcame a skilful Parma team packed with Zola, Asprilla and Thomas Brolin to win the Cup Winner’s Cup. Also, in 1994 AC Milan thrashed Barcelona 4-0 to win the European Cup. Prior to the game, Johan Cruyff and a few Barcelona players ridiculed Milan and said that Barcelona’s attack would easily overcome Milan’s defense. But like that night and many more nights after that, Milan have proved their critics wrong.
Playing styles reversed:
On Feb 20, 2008, as Arsenal prepare to take on AC Milan, both teams playing style has reversed from those under George Graham and Sacchi. Arsenal are not known for their defense like under George Graham and even though Milan possess a talented attacking streak in Kaka, they are not know for their attacking potential like under Sacchi. In a recent interview, Kaka was full of praise for Arsenal and said: “They play football the way we like it to see it in Brazil, with style, changing position all the time, moving the ball among themselves so quickly,”. Praise indeed. But as past Champions League games have shown, a team can possess as much talent as possible but it amounts to nothing if the opponent is tactically able to negate their opponents strengths.
While Arsenal vs Milan is easily one of the most eye catching fixtures, there are 7 other games which should provide enough drama.
The European Quest:
Safe to say, all the 16 teams have their own reason for doing well in Europe. In Olympiacos’ case, a good European performance will help ease the constant taunts they get in league football. Even though Olympiacos are completely dominant in Greek league football with 35 league titles (including 10 of the last 11 league titles) compared to Panathinaikos’s 14 titles, Panathinaikos fans often joke that only their team has true “European pedigree” because of their solitary runner’s up spot in the European Cup in 1971 and two semi-final appearances (1985 & 1996). Whereas Olympiacos only have a quarter-final berth in 1998 to show for their European Cup exploits. This taunt is similar to one that the English media often use against Arsenal, thanks to Manchester United & Ferguson. Manchester’s solitary European Cup under Ferguson in 1999 is often used to imply their greatness over the Gunners. Even though with each passing year’s failure in Europe, Manchester’s win in 1999 appears to be more of a fluke than something earned through true quality. But the Champions League failure is used a sword over Wenger and Arsenal.
Lyon are another team that feels the pressure of European glory every year. Last season, their 6th straight league title felt like a consolation prize after another failure in Europe. Real Madrid always have tremendous expectations on their shoulders in the Champions League despite their 9 Cup victories. But considering their last Cup was in 2002, the almost 6 year gap must feel like a drought to the team’s owners and fans. And Liverpool have been able to use the Champions League to mask their poor domestic form. It is hard to believe that Rafa Benitez would have earned so much respect from Liverpool fans had Liverpool not conjured up six minutes of magic to erase a 3-0 deficit against a stylish Milan team in 2005.
Final note:
There Will be Brazilians:
15 of the 16 European teams have at least one registered Brazilian player on their squad. The only exception is Celtic. While some teams revolve around their Brazilian players, other teams such as Arsenal have only been using their Brazilian players when the first team players have been injured.
Now here’s LDE’s take:
I agree -
We were inept on Saturday.
It’s bad for those who made the trip away.
Arsenal subconsciously disrespected the competition.
We are a bunch of spoiled brats
I DO NOT AGREE -
AW is a tactical dickhead
Diarra would have saved our ass every game we lost
AC Milan will steamroll us
We have a divine right to win something and AW will look silly if we don’t
We need more players(okay maybe RW if Eboue goes)
Now for the game.
——
I do not think we will have any problem whatsoever in picking ourselves up for the Milan game at all. I’m just worried whether we will concede an away goal. I’d rather us win 2-0 than 3-1 or something. I also hope its scoreless for 70″ and we hit the Rosineiri late rather than early - gives them less time to come back. The earlier we score the more their experience will come into play. I hope we wear them down with possession and more possession, then hit them late. The later the better. Now how about an analysis of the Milan squad? I’m guessing this is what it will be like:
Dida
Maldini Nesta Kaldhze Jankulovski
Gattuso
Seedorf Pirlo Ambrossini/Emerson
Kaka
Inzaghi
That is quite a formidable lineup on paper and the experience that the squad is worth its weight in gold. Flamini vs Gattuso is cruucial — Can the Flamster stop Gattuso before he gets to Cesc? Even if he does will Ancelotti’s second defensive midfielder be a bit too much for Gilberto or will the slow pace of the CL suit him? Inzaghi is very much like the cunty RVN - dead for 89 minutes and will score in the 91st on his first chance. Can we cut off the supply line of Pirlo and Seedorf? The only way is to defend deep and in numbers - man to man is no good when you got quality in every damn position. That defense is as mean as you can get and I cant see a damn weakness anywhere in that squad - on paper at least. Lastly the sheer brilliance of Kaka means that we can have as great a game as we like and he can change it against the run of play in a second.
Now for us:
We’re struggling. We really are down to bare bones though some will probably second guess the Professor as if they knew all of it all the time. Sagna’s brother is rumoured to have passed away. If that’s true my sincere condolences are with him. Will he be mentally fit enough to play? I hope he is — we need him right back. Clichy is a big doubt as well so I’m really struggling to find a left back if Clichy does not play. What choice have you got apart from Traore? I’m sure the kid will try his best but AC Milan - too much too soon. I hope Gallas shuts up and starts giving 9/10 performances soon. Senderos has been better than him for a few games now — its true. Yes I’m waiting for the brickbats. If Sagna’s not fit I’m struggling for a RB as well. Not Hoyte, he got destroyed on Saturday. Cesc has to deliver on Wednesday. He’s been a passenger for too many games now and I’m sure he will deliver soon…just hope its the Wednesday game. A fit Rosicky would mean so much as well though thats probably too much to expect. I’m quite certain AW will go 4-5-1 with Adebayor up front and as I said I’m supporting that if it happens just so we retain possession longer and make Milan run around longer. Make them play to our pace — not we play at their pace. If we do that we’re doomed. So all in all taking all the injuries into consideration here’s what I believe will be the best lineup. This is/may not be what AW will put out:
Lehmann
Toure Gallas Senderos Traore
Eboue Gilberto Cesc Flamini Hleb
Adebayor
Bench: Whoever’s fit. Note he took Dudu off on Saturday so that might mean a 4-4-2 but I’m not sure. I just think 4-5-1 is good for this game. Overall its a David vs Goliath if you wish and I think we will win this:
Arsenal 2 - AC Milan 0
February 19th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Fantastic previews… gotta love the depth, style and commitment from both authors of the preview!
(those things Arsenal didn’t show on Saturday)
I think there IS a hangover effect from Saturday.
I do NOT think you can turn it on and off as a player…
AC Milan 2 Arsenal 1.
We are in big trouble.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:26 am
AC MILAN
AC Milan’s 1st choice keeper Dida is injured and 2nd choice Kalac is a really doubtful. That leaves 3rd choice keeper Valerio Fiori who hasn’t played a competitive game since December 2008
Fiori
Oddo Nesta Maldini Jankulovski
Gattuso
Pirlo Ambrosini
Kaka Seedorf
Inzaghi/Gilardino
Arsenal:
Good news is that all Sagna, Clichy, Flamini and Adebayor are available. So are Walcott and Denilson. Bad news is that Rosicky is still out. Almunia hasn’t recovered yet, so Lehmann will continue in goal. Lets just hope he doesn’t make any costly mistakes.
Lehmann
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Eboue Fabregas Flamini Hleb
Eduardo Adebayor
If Wenger goes 4-5-1 then i would expect Gilberto to replace Eduardo, which i hope doesn’t happen because i think Eduardo can cause problems for Milan’s ageing defence.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 AC Milan
February 19th, 2008 at 11:27 am
oh yea forgot to mention great previews. well done. great work. keep it up!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:47 am
We need a clean sheet. Our only CL run was based on clean sheets. At the same time, I would prefer not to play 4-5-1. Ade can cause a lot of damage to the Milan defense but he will need support. And if we play 4-4-2, it will mean no Gilberto. But it could also mean Eboue plays. Well, you can’t have everything.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:49 am
They’ll probably sit back and try to hit us on the break, like they did against Liverpool. The first goal will be crucial.
On another subject, Capello says… “I know Milan can rise to the challenge in crucial matches, but this is a very difficult moment to face Arsenal. They defend with ten men and attack with six. They are a very organised side, full of talented players. If you leave them any space, they counterattack with four or five players at such pace that the opposition cannot figure out what is hitting them.”
A lot of people say Arsenal are a fast team and can play with great speed on the break, but I just don’t see us as a fast, counter-attacking team. Personally, I do think we do well on the break because our attacking players are good technically and pick out the right passes, but I’ve never thought of us as a very quick team. Hleb, Diaby, or Rosicky…. where’s the speed?
When I think of the quick teams we’ve played I think ManU and Seville. Any thoughts?
February 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I can only see Eboue hurting us. Not that its a guarantee that he’ll f*** up but he just doesn’t have the quality or brain to be at par with the rest of the Arsenal squad. I’d rather Walcott came in or Fabregas played there with Gilberto in the middle with Flamini. I just cant stand the twat…
February 19th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Isn’t it amazing that Clichy, Ade and Flamini have all recovered in time for the Milan game? I guess the “injuries” were part of a bigger plan. But in some sense, I am sure the Sat result will play a part. It is up to the players to show their mental strength.
For me, the most important players are exactly those that went missing on Sat - Gallas, Toure, Cesc and Hleb. One can be guaranteed that Lehmann, Clichy, Sagna, Flamini, Ade and Eduardo will give their best. So it is really up to our “senior” players to give their best and pull us through.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thnx Stag & gooner_4_life. @Stag: I think the old cliche of “Winning is a habit” will be tested severely tomorrow night(1:30am Thursday for me
) .. I think our fullbacks mean so much ..so much more to us than other teams because they are the only ones who give us width as all the rest move inwards. Sagna back is big big news. Now the key thing is whether Kolo will play ahead of Sendy ..probably yes and probably rightly so as well as Milan also play more on the ground rather than in the air.
@coach_ed: the biggest example of a fast team? Arsenal invincibles. Now that was fast….I loved that team…just sheer beauty.
Cole-Viera-Bergkamp-Pires-Henry-Pires-Bergkamp-Ljungberg-goal
February 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
@ nipuna. i totally agree, Wenger would have played all three of them had it been a premier league or a champions league match.
Meanwhile, Toure has been a liitle shaky recently. Lets hope we see the Kolo Toure we know making crucial tackles and blocks come tomorrows game as the whole back four are going to be vital coz we need to keep a clean sheet. As LDE said, its better to win 1-0 than 2-1 or 2-0 than 3-1.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I don’t think this team has any counter-attacking strength. The moment the ball goes to Cesc or Hleb, the game slows down. Ade has pace over a short distance, but in the City game that Richards outpaced him easily.
Only Rosicky can make fast movements. That is, if he is on the pitch ever.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Sorry…goofed up on the FB positions in my lineup…yes ofcourse Oddo at RB and Maldini in the centre…thnx gooner_4_life again
February 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
@nip: Its not that it doesnt have pace. Relative to other teams its still fairly quick. its just that we’ve been spoiled by a certain Henry - Pires - Bergkamp - Viera axis that we see this team as slow. Its just “relatively” slower.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
This game reminds me so much of the Ajax versus AC Milan in the 1995 CL final, where youthful exuberance triumphed over experience. Can history repeat itself ?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
LDE- Agree. Invicibles were fast… perhaps that’s why i dont see us now as a very fast team anymore. Spoiled rotten.
Cant wait for this game. Hopefully we will bounce back strong. Dont really know what to think since I dont know Milan that well, but they were so calmly impressive last year hunkering down and absorbing Liverpool pressure. Its just the sort of old cagey side that gets me a little worried against the youth of our team. If we get them into a running contest and can keep the tempo high, I think we’ll crush them, but I think Milan are too experienced to let that happen.
One of the matchups I am keen to watch is how Pirlo and Fabregas do. Pirlo is just class, dictating the pace and controlling the flow of the game. I think Cesc has more natural talent, but he gets impatient at times. They kind of personify the personalities of their teams.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Miscellaneous ramblings:
Lehmann’s in goal. He hasn’t had to make a big save yet this season in his few starts. Do we even know if he can? That’ s a problem. He’s stopped the histrionics because riding the bench makes you humble. That’s a good thing. His goal kicks are poor and his distribution is too slow to initiate counters. That’s okay for the German National Team but for Arsenal, it’s a bad thing.
Will Sagna be mentally ready? We can only hope.
We will miss Rosicky’s direct attacking.
Do not, I repeat do not let Gilberto onto the pitch tomorrow. We need young bulls and not has been matadors on defense.
AC Milan have nothing on the left to worry Clichy except for when Pato attacks there.
I have a growing suspicion that Gallas may not have enough pace to cope and Toure and Clichy actually cover for him.
Eboue goes home and plays like a man and comes back to England and plays like a punk.
I do not see Walcott’s participation in tomorrow’s game as a good thing. If we’re losing and he comes on, then we’re desperate and if we’re winning then he could have a defensive lapse. Pato on the other hand is an 18yo stud in just 1 month of play and he will start. Must be the water in Brazil, you think.
Does anyone outside of AC Milan’s book keeper even know what Fiori looks like? He’s in the team because of his “professional conduct”. I’m betting Galliani and Ancelotti wished they had PIA Abbiati right about now.
Eduardo has to get in the box tomorrow for us to score. Even if he starts on the wing.
I hope Maldini plays at LB. A nice sentimental gesture to the grand old man of Milan.
Hleb in Europe is better that Hleb in the EPL.
AC Milan likes to attack the left channel with triangle passes with Kaka and Seedorf.
Unlike Flamini, Pirlo will almost never make a run into the box.
Gallas laid into his team mates about their poor efforts on Saturday and rightly so. What was he doing to stem the onslaught I would ask?
AC Milan’s main weakness is defending the counter attack because they lack pace on the flanks. Oddo can be caught out when he tries to put in crosses.
We are rested (after Saturday’s run out), fed and watered. Our hopes and dreams come down to tomorrow’s game. Everyone wants to be Europe (and not there on vacation) and that time is now.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Flamini verus Gilberto…. “Young Bull versus Matador” …. excellent
February 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
unfortunately for Gilberto…. swordless matador
February 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Alot was made of the pace our invincible team but where did it ever get us in Europe? No where. Bayer Leverkusen were the only team we overwhelmed with pace. The rest of the time we were befuddled by the technique of Europe’s little big men.
This team passes the ball fast and can think on its feet better than the Vieira-led side. We have players like Hleb who actually flourish when teams try to do a hatchet job on them.
I think tomorrow could end 2-2 or something. We will play our usual passing game in the first half and then adapt to wherever the players feel they can get the most joy out of Milan. Keep them guessing between the long balls to Adebayor and the short ball to Hleb and we should have them in enough bother to score a couple.
However our defensive instability at this current time, with Toure looking scatty and Fabregas looking lazy-and Milan’s sheer class-will ensure we do not ride off into the sunset.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Denilson must play…
He know how we (brazilian) used to play and create opportunities…
“Man-by-man” Kaka can make difference with anyone of our Arsenal.
I saw in the past Kaka play on my ‘first team’ and he is espetacular player.
I think Denilson (that played on São Paulo FC too) could mark him
February 19th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Thanks for the comments Mike, stag and gooner_4_life.
I have waited for this fixture for a long time. I had been hoping that Arsenal would have played Milan in a 2004 final but I don’t think anyone could have expected how the quarters that year would turn out as Arsenal, Madrid and Milan went out. Milan’s loss in 2004 was extraordinary as Deportivo overturned a 4-1 first leg loss to thrash Milan 4-0 in the second leg. It was an amazing game. One of those where the Riazor in La Coruna had a great atmosphere.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Firstly, exceptional writing Sachin! I don’t know how you find the time to write such learned and well studied material and go about your daily life. It must be nice to know if you ever loose your day job you could write a book on the Arsenal.
LDE I enjoyed reading your synopsis as well and all I can say is I wish there were more threads to read like the last few. It’s a crying shame that they’re so few and far between.
I hate predictions as they make me nervous. Just as nervous as reading stats on what your chances are of getting an STD or knocked up with unprotected sex. Thus, I insist on the wearing condoms and I don’t like to make predictions.
If I did make predictions though, I’d say Arsenal are going to come out of the blocks with the same tempest that ManUre did on Saturday last; they have something to prove to their naysayers, their fans and themselves. If the Arsenal can keep control of the match, it will be a win but by what margin I don’t know.
Otherwise I’m as excited as a little gurl, wet, wet, wet…. It’s going to be one of those long ones I can feel it - another day at least.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
lol@ger…umm SEH
February 19th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
i predict 2-0 or 2-1 victory to the arsenal IF we play a 4-4-2…….if we play 4-5-1 all bets are off.
as long as we play OUR game, at our high tempo we will prevail.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
great stuff Sachin and LDE,particularly like the milanese history
this game is of massive importance…motivation is not an issue, just nerves and patience. i can see us coming out very quickly in the first 20 with gusto and our usual verve..taking the chance to score in this period will be crucial.early goal is important,like every game.to say that we need an avalanche of goals in the last 10 is absurd.we need to settle nerves by scoring early.ade or eduardo(who i hope to god is playing) need to capitalize.
watching milan in last year’s champs league final gives me immense hope of prevailing, not just tomorrow but in 2 week’s time. i think this team are past it…we have met similar teams(juve and madrid) two year’s ago with inferior players and playing style and we won convincingly.they are rebuilding already.the only major threat i see is kaka…a fit kaka will be crucial to their hopes.10 goals in the competition last year says it all.unlike many of their team(excepting pirlo,gattuso and nesta), kaka is in his prime.flamini will have a job on his hands.gilberto should be flogged
ancellotti is not a cup competition manager a la benitez.he relies on the experience of his old guard and the desire of those yet to achieve glory.i predict that he will be very cautious in this leg and hit us on the break.do not dismiss their threat from set-pieces.pirlo is a set-piece specialist(unlike anything we have) and they know how to attack the ball
i presume that eboue will start.i dont know what wenger sees in him bar his support for sagna which is minimal.he adds nothing to our passing game,holding the ball for too long;he fails to use the consistently over-lapping sagna;his delivery from out wide is inconsistent; and he rarely,if ever, scores or assists a team-mate.also both his temperament and work-rate are not worthy of this team or competition.
we need to attack their full backs.both are good footballers but are not natural defenders.eboue can beat his man and did so in the past..so why not again?knock it by him and whack it in.simple as.hleb can beat anyone going.but he needs to deliver the ball more.ade is a threat in the air as is eduardo(we havent seen his aerial prowess yet).wenger should be replaying the fulham game to show them to have confidence in their wide game
like others,i think eduardo will be a crucial part of this two-legged affair.milan will know all about ade.they will harass the shit out of him, trying to put him off his game like henry was prone to.eduardo was our only player to show desire v man utd and his stealth and ability to sink under the radar will be crucial.
i have long predicted that we will win this game.lets hope we do and that wenger makes the right selection and tactical decisions.
here’s to a comfortable lead going into the second leg , 3-1
February 19th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
No predictions here either. Sagna back - great- hope his family is better and he is as well.
The two games are totally different and I expect a much better result.
Clichy is an upgrade on Traore but he has gone asleep in enough games to not count him as one whose effort or performance is unquestionable.
There should be no shock that Flamini and Adebayor are back- they played as subs Saturday…
Eboue will figure in the CL games otherwise he would not play for a month!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I have a sinking feeling we will concede first, then have to really work like bastards to claw a goal or two back.
Come on Gunners, prove me wrong.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I believe in good teams bounce back (following a setback). As I predicted Man U would bounce back after their poor start of the season, they did. Because they are a good team. And I believe so are we. We have been taking against all odds and proved the world wrong again and again this season - gonna fuck up without Henry…. We could only win at home / couldn’t win away (early season fixtures)…. We hadn’t met any big 4 side yet (early of the season)…. We were going to fuck up when key players injuried…. we were going to fuck up when ANC comes upon……
yet again and again we have proved the critics wrong. And not did it by luck.
So why won’t we do it again? A team which has done what they had done so far this season surely deserve some faith.
Arsenal to WIN against AC. Without a single of doubt on my mind.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
#1 Stag133
“I think there IS a hangover effect from Saturday.
I do NOT think you can turn it on and off as a player…
AC Milan 2 Arsenal 1.
We are in big trouble.”
Hey Chris, your Italian you know the solution to a hangover. Hair of the dog that bit you = plenty of “Bitters”. I’m sure the squad had a good taste of those bitters over the last days. Nothing like a good bitter to settle the stomach not to mention its digestive qualities. I recommend a good Amaro of crushed herbs from the mountains near Milan. Crushed Milanese herbs.
They might also help you change your depressing prediction.
Gerard :}~
February 19th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
@ 1 stag, i see u are back firmly into the doom and gloom bandwagon. who would have thought.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
inter milan are probably the biggest chokers in the whole of euorpe. for the amount of money they spend they are just pathetic.
yes, they went a man down after half an hour BUT still most of the time the team that goes down goes on to play even better….they were defending the same way a conference team will defend against a PL side. all out defense. and they are supposed to be more talented than liverpool. and they have been cruising their league.
vieira was playing no better than diaby would. lol.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
btw, i gotta agree with Mazza on one point - i too feel this side is far suit to play in Europe than class of 2004.
As Mazza pointed out, 2004 was all about pace and power. One touch, two, three, then BANG, a goal. Tore the Premiership sides in pieces.
but in Europe, those clubs, unlike majority of EPL sides, they didn’t necessary go “closing us” down, they “contain” instead.
Vieira made a key difference in the Premiership - his forceful charge from midfield very often would draw opponents closing down on him, that left his teammates in plenty of space.
Yet in Europe, the defenders were far more clever. When they refused to get “sucked” into closing down our players, instead by containing us. Our pace became less relevant.
In short - class 2004 was more about a “forceful” powerful attack, relied on our pace and power.
Class 2008 on the other hand, relied on a calculative, patient attack. Cesc is the key. As he controls and dicitates our tempo. And with Ade on the side, we have far more variety attacking wise. We can play through the middle, can play counter attack, can cross it from wide, can even hoof a long ball into the box. It’s something 2004 side never had. With 2004, it’s if plan A didn’t work, it’s game over.
In short - 2004 was like a “table football” side, while 2008 is like “chess”.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
when u hear all the milan players saying they will go through because they are more “experienced and cunning” one has to wonder they must be afraid and trying to calm themselves down.
i mean when have u ever heard that before…players saying they are more cunning???? LOL.
after the draw i thought we had a good chance, but reading the milan players interviews i now think we will WIN.
the team i want to see:
lehmann
sagna - toure - gallas - clichy
eboue - flamini - cesc - hleb
adebayor - eduardo
bench: fabianski, hoyte, senderos, gilberto, song, walcott, bendtner
ideally i would not want eboue anywhere the team, but i think he is a safer bet than putting gilberto in there and moving fabregas to the right.
overall this team, i think is good enough to prevail.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Gilberto, Eboue, and Traore both make me nervous. Other than that, I’m not too worried about the match. If we lose this tie, then we can focus on the League while Chelski and ManUre are still alive in 3 competitions (which hopefully they will lose).
February 19th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Fred, u also gotta take the hat off for how masterful a cheating act Torres had put up.
To me, he’s the master. the new master since vanNistelrooy. cos his dives are so smooth, and get all the angles right. Our very own Eboue is a cheat as well. But i wouldn’t rate him as the “master”, not that he didn’t cheat enough, just that he’s a lousy cheat. When he dives and playacting, everybody knew he’s diving/cheating.
Torres, on the other hand, unless the ref carrying a mini TV and get to watch the TV replay on the spot, it’s difficult for him to detect his dives.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
@ 33: come on !!! no need to be so dismissive about our CL chances. milan are NOT imperious in anyway.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I fear Wenger will play 4-5-1. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t. There’s no point having “numbers” in midfield as a defensive protection if none of the players know who they’re marking or track their runners. How did playing 4-5-1 at Man Utd stop them from winning 4-0, and it could have been 8-0!?
I have always had faith in Wenger as a Premiership manager, but absolutely no faith in him to win this competition. Our record has been miserable, and the only time we came close was by luck/accident - a formation Wenger stumbled upon, we squeezed through game after game thanks to Lehmann’s incredible saves.
By the way, why did Wenger sell Vieira? For the money or because Vieira’s heart was not in it? In which case why is he playing Gilberto - does he think Gilberto’s heart is in it? He’s lost the plot in that respect. I really really despair if he plays 4-5-1 with Gilberto. And if plays Eboue in such an important match Wenger needs his head examining.
We have to brave and go for it at the Emirates, if you’re not brave you have no chance in this competition. Only 2 types of teams can win the Champions league - a Barcelona-type attacking team that steamrollers everyone or a water tight defensive team with a brilliant tactical manager in off situations - Arsenal have neither of those.
I’ve no idea what the score will be tomorrow. But unless AC Milan are really as shit as their league position indicates, we’re probably not going to get through.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
As I was saying back when the draw was made for the knockout stages, I would have absolutely loved Inter Milan. No matter how well they do in Serie A, no matter how well they somehow manage to handle AC Milan, that team will always be shit. All their players are straight up and down, no special effects, apart from Ibrahamovic. Milan, for all their domestic woes, have star players who have star personalities. I will be very interested to see how they play it tomorrow.
I think we have to score early. Italians teams and nearly every other top european team tend take a while to get their bearings in unknown environments and against a team they have little experience of playing. If Arsenal go for the throat early we will get opportunities. However it’s not really our style these days so our transition through the gears could reach its climax when Milan are at their most confident. We could be talking 0-0 if that’s the case.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I think AW sold Vieira primarily because of Fabregas. I think we all agree Cesc and Paddy couldn’t play together. Paddy may be a more defensive minded CM early in his Arsenal career, as he started improving his all around skills, he’s more and more attacking minded. In later stage of his Arsenal career, he no longer looked like a DM to me, guess that’s why he loved to have Gilberto by his side.
On hindsight, I don’t think anyone could argue this was a wrong decision (selling Paddy). Cesc truly blossomed afterward.
I also believe - our style of play with this current team is different than 2004 in many aspects. Yet it all started when we sold Vieira. To say class of 2004 was built around Henry may not necessary be the case, IMO, that side was built around Vieira. At least in terms of our style and approach to the matches.
Class of 2008 is built around Cesc, I guess that explains why a more direct type of central midfielder like Diaby would struggle a bit under our system. As I said before, I think Diaby, Walcott and Eboue the likes would “probably” fare better with our 2004 side.
but of cos, at the end of the day, it’s all up to individual player’s intelligence. A good player should be able to play in different style of play. Like Cesc, he still impressed despite playing in a more direct approach side back in 2005.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Thanks Stoned/G and jizzyk.
I had expected Inter to lose today but not in the manner that happenned. After their sending off, they just stayed in their half almost all game. It truly felt like a matter of time before Liverpool could get one goal. Also, the injury to Cordoba made a difference as well.
Didn’t see the Chelsea game but Grant rested Terry and Lampard for the Carling Cup final. Wow. Gotta love that. Finally a manager who places the Carling Cup over the Champs League
February 19th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
An early goal would make a massive difference. Milan will be happy with 0-0 or even a 1-0 defeat. What they don’t want is to be FORCED to come out and attack.
A 4-5-1 line-up immediately plays into their hands and gives them a mental advantage. Before a ball is kicked they’ll know Wenger fears them, and it immediately puts negativity into Arsenal players minds.
Arsenal have to be clever, get 1-0 up then invite AC Milan on to us. You know that at some point Milan will go for the away goal. There will be a ten-minute spell when they will go for it, and that’s when Arsenal need to take advantage. If Arsenal go 1-0 up, just probe them, wait for them to come out then hit them on the break. If we don’t score then, really go for 2-0 in the last 10 minutes, our pace and power could be too much for them when the old farts start getting tired.
Can Arsenal control a game like that? Probably not. I’ve never seen it before from a Wenger team in the Champions League, whereas Milan have probably done it to teams 100 times over.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Question Time - can anyone remember when was the last time Arsenal get beaten by an Italian side?
From what I can remember, it was Inter Milan when they beat us at Highbury. Though I can’t recall how long ago.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Yeah, we lost 3-0 at home to Inter the same year we mashed them 5-1. Time before that Juve beat us 1-0 in March 2002.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Question number 2:
and during the same period of time Juve beat us 1-0 in March 2002 till today, how many times did we beat a Italian sides?
February 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
It seems the Pool found the healing power of Bitters and they were definitely hungover after Barnsley.
I thought the red card on Materazzi was extremely harsh as he barely touched Torres. Oh well luck has to play into to. I’m hoping for luck tomorrow.
Seeing that the team can’t drink, I’ve started drinking bitters for them. I’ve only got 12 more shots and I’ve got the whole squad covered for the first round - okay I’m drinking for the injured ones to. Yeeha.
Andez, as for Inter Milan, I hope the lads come back with the same result against AC Milan as the 2003 squad had against Inter. That would be a real lift before the away game.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/news/matchreport/0,,1092984,00.html
February 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
From that defeat onwards?
27/11/02 A Roma 3-1
11/03/03 H Roma 1-1
17/09/03 H Inter Milan 0-3
25/11/03 A Inter Milan 5-1
28/03/06 H Juventus 2-0
05/04/06 A Juventus 0-0
February 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Only one defeat to Inter? Not too bad.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I remember that 1-0 away loss to Juventus in an empty stadium. It was a meaningless game as Arsenal had to expect La Coruna to beat Leverkusen which they didn’t. It was a frustrating year as Arsenal 2-0 home loss to La Coruna ended their hopes. But they played some very good football that year. I believe they were leading Leverkusen away from home until they gave up a late goal to tie 1-1.
I remember that 1-1 home draw to Roma as well. Those lost points were crucial as well as Arsenal went on to lose to Valencia in the final game. At Highbury, Roma had frustrated Arsenal that night. What was bad was that second group stage was Arsenal’s to win. They started with 3-1 Roma win but unfortunately, that was their only win as they ended up drawing all the games until that loss in that 6th and final game.
That 3-0 home loss to Inter was shocking. I believe Arsenal dominated that game but were hit on the break. But the 5-1 demolition in the San Siro was quite the game.
Wary of giving up any away goals tomorrow but Milan might not look for any away goals unless Arsenal score one first. Not sure what is better. Arsenal get an early goal and then expect to keep Milan at bay and grab a second. Or do what Liverpool did today and score two late goals? But the problem is that the longer the game goes without a goal, Milan will feel more relaxed and confident while Arsenal might get restless? Not sure how the fans will feel if the game goes 0-0 for a while.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I do wonder if Wenger will attempt to go with a similar set-up to when they played Juventus in the 2006 season? That year, this was the line-up in 2-0 home win:
Lehmann, Eboue (defense), Kolo, Senderos, Flamini (defense), Pires, Cesc, Gilberto, Reyes, Hleb, Henry.
LDE, I guess this is the line-up structure you pointed out towards in the post. Will be interesting to see if Wenger changes the 4-5-1 and puts Eduardo in from the start?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
i have said it since the draw came out…..i really pray we dont go to 4-5-1.
actually, a 1-0 win is very good. still on the edge ….but it is more important not to conceede an away goal because with a 1-0 advantage if we score once at the san siro they will need 3 goals.
ideal will be two though.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
@ 33: come on !!! no need to be so dismissive about our CL chances. milan are NOT imperious in anyway.
I’m not dismissive, I was just pointing out that I was nervous about those 3 players. I actually think we’ve got a great shot to win this thing. I don’t want us to lose, I was just saying that if we did lose, it would make concentrating on the PL easier.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
@ danny 36:
“But unless AC Milan are really as shit as their league position indicates, we’re probably not going to get through.”
Oh come on. Does it ALL depend on Milan. Can we ONLY win if they are sh-t?
What if they play very, very well but we play better?
What if we DONT allow them to even play their game? That doesnt make Milan shit.
It seems common that anytime we beat a team, its because THEY are shit and not on us being good.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
So Fred, if I give an opinion, and you don’t like it… I’m doom and gloom?
Yes, you have also changed quite a bit!
Gerard! Yes. I’ll have a few Lemoncello’s before the match to calm my nerves.
I agree that an early goal on our part could definitely change the match. But an early goal on their part?… and I think our confidence level will sag.
Its football. Anything can happen.
I don’t think AC Milan is miles ahead of us talent wise or that we can’t win, I just don’t like the way we played on Saturday, and I don’t think teams are necessarily a light switch that can turn it on and off.
Thats called OPINION.
I’d obvioulsy love to be wrong and see us smash AC Milan 3-0, but that will take the type of effort and determination that got us to the CL Final against Barcelona… when we outworked and overwhelmed more talented teams.
I watched Liverpool look like they were going to sag to a 0-0 draw against 10 man Inter Milan… for 80 minutes. Rafa Benitez was half way OUT THE DOOR. It took a nice cross by … Pennant of all people… and a good bounce for Kuyt. Then Gerrard skims one in… and in the last few minutes Liverpool put themselves firmly in the drivers seat to advance. Go figure.
So yes. I have hope that we could get a “result”. No Fred, its not doom and gloom. But we aren’t exactly playing great football at the moment, and we aren’t full of 100% players either. We will need to pick our game up a FEW levels to win.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I have posted some game previews in the past, but these put me to shame. Excellent job - this blog is so far ahead of any other blog of any other team in any sport, it is amazing.
Thank you for your time and effort and passion. A joy to read.
I, too have looked forward to this match for many weeks. As a supporter, this is what it’s all about - Champions League match against a world power.
I have no idea what is about to happen. I guess nothing will surprise me.
I don’t think Milan are as bad of a club as their Serie A standings would have us believe - in part because they are having a decent run in that league at the moment.
And, beware of champions that are “old” - they still know how to win, and if there is one thing about this group of red and blacks, it’s that they have many things in their tool kit - including mental tools that are likely superior to our mental tool kit. And, the Italians love to f*ck with your mind - that’s their M.O.
We must play at a high pace of attack against this club, because I think 90 minutes of our speed and aggression will outdo them and will render their mental games mute.
But we have to win and hold them scoreless. Otherwise, I’m not going to enjoy the prospects of watching a game at Milan.
One thing I feel good about - Lehman in goal - I think the injury to Almunia is a godsend for this game.
So, here goes:
Arsenal 3 Milan 0
SHOCK ‘EM!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Anybody else think that Almunia’s “injury” is made up? I think he has recovered but Wenger is reluctant to throw him into such a big game after a long absence. If he plays on Sat, my theory will gain more validity.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
If Inter and Milan both play away in the CL first legs, does the San Siro host games on consecutive nights in the return legs?
February 19th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
I repeat - the key is to keep a clean sheet. If we concede early, it will require a herculean task to get back. We will need to attack more and that will open us up - something Milan will relish. Let’s keep it tight. 0-0 at half time is not a bad result at all. We should go all out to attack only if the scores remains the same till the last 15 minutes or so. Even a 0-0 draw is not a bad result. I am hoping for a 1-0 win.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
definitely agree with u nipuna. a 0-0 draw by no mean a disaster. important is a clean sheet. but my prediction is 3-0 to Arsenal.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:13 am
These two legged knockout games are quite a fascinating affair. Players approach every game as a 90-min affair, but this is a 180-min game spread over two locations and two weeks. There needs to be a fine balance between attack and defense. Each team needs to prepare and calculate exactly how they want to play. That’s why in the recent past, very few all out attacking teams have won it. That may also explain why our invincibles didn’t succeed either.
It is not easy to get the balance right between attack and defense. Wenger may see it as a 4-5-1. Ten folks while defending and six men while attacking (something which Capello referred to). I am pretty sure Ade can cause the Milan defense some damage but may struggle if he is playing alone up front. We need to have numbers in attack as well as in defense. Gallas and Toure need to have big games. I think Lehmann will be up for it. His CL sending off will drive him on.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Thanks! as good a preview as i’ve seen on any site.
I am bit worried about Lehman as he has remained relatively untested in his few starts and I haven’t been thrilled w/ his decision making when he has had to come up. Hopefully he and the rest of the squad can step up and shake off saturdays embarrassment. I understand that AW wanted to focus on europe but as a huge fan of the FA cup I was a bit disappointed despite the reality that the treble would be impossible to pursue with this battered lineup.
Go Gunners!!
February 20th, 2008 at 12:27 am
“nipuna Says:
If Inter and Milan both play away in the CL first legs, does the San Siro host games on consecutive nights in the return legs?”
They would except the 2nd leg of Inter v. Liverpool is schedule the tuesday the week following the March 4 game with Arsenal at Milan. Also interestingly about the San Siro hosting lots of champs league action Milan v. Inter was the first time a home/away champions league game was held at the same stadium back in 2003 (I was in Milan the day of the first leg and the city nuts - of course I couldn’t get a ticket but enjoyed the spectacle none the less)
February 20th, 2008 at 12:33 am
@ stag: nope, i actually didnt attack u. just noting that u think “we are in BIG trouble” in comment 1. why dont u wait for us to lose a couple of games on the trot first for u to say we are in “big” trouble?
ofcourse u never believed this team was any good anyway.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:39 am
a big LOL @ almunia’s ghost stories………..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=516129&in_page_id=1779&ct=5
so lehmann is now posing as a ghostly monk with a candle during his spare time??? no wonder he didnt leave in the transfer window…he HAD a plan!
LOL.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:45 am
LDE/Wayne, do you know which channel is showing OUR game in India?
Ten Sports TV schedule shows the ManU game (damn them) and the Zee Sports schedule shows nothing.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Yes, Stag133 Limencellos! I’m all for the 1rst goal, oh yeah.
Only 2 more bitters to go and the team is covered in the first round. All this healthy drinking and thought has caused me to barrf up a poem.
Limencello - sweet but not sour, a southern treat
I’m sure our Gunners will hand the Milanese their sad defeat,
cause having a cannon shoot up your crack
could only leave one looking terribly red and black,
fresh from our beating and covered in shit
we got Gallas’ phallus to take care of it,
cause when your striker is named after poo
there’s not really much the Rossoneri can doo
Hey don’t laugh it’s a lot better than.
A horny young lady named Lil
f_cked a dynamite stick for a thrill
They found her vagina
in north Carolina
and bits of her tits in Brazil
okay not much better
February 20th, 2008 at 1:14 am
I watched Materazzi’s second “yellow” against Torres. Very harsh. Can’t help but feel that the past has caught up with him. Materrazi is a very dirty player who has got away with many fouls in the past. What goes around, comes around.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:14 am
@nip: Its actually on Zee sports…and there’s no Zee Sports at my place
February 20th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I hope Wegner tells the boys to go out and push the pace tomorrow, but they also need to be smart about it. AC is very good on the break with their passing and ball control. The back 4 needs to be smart and make sure someone covers the runs of Clichy and Sagna. Too often we get pulled into the attack and AC can hit back quickly if we don’t keep it together.
I’m hoping for an early goal so that AC starts to push and Ade can then hit them with some runs.
I also think Lehman is ready for a good spell. His ego has have to been bruised and with the Euro’s coming up this summer he has a lot to prove.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Gerard, my friend… slam poetry is perhaps not your calling?!
(maybe not ANY poetry!?!?)
But hey, enjoy whatever it is you are drinking!!!
I hope you can see the TV Screen!
Andez!
3-0 Arsenal?
LOL
I want WHATEVER it is you are drinking.
If we win 3-0… I will literally be running around the streets of the North End of Boston (Italian section)… in an Arsenal kit… mocking my fellow Italian-Americans!
I’d love to see it happen.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:34 am
I been drinking the Lipton tea Stag. To go along with some coffee. Perhaps i shouldn’t mix the coffee and tea together next time around. well, but it works for me. As u can probably tell, I been living my life as an Arsenal fan pretty happily everyday. Regardless of a defeat or win it didn’t seem to affect me. I love watching the team, and enjoy every minute of it. And tomorrow will always be a sunny day when I wake up. I thank God for that. what else can i ask for?!
so try it Stag, mix the coffee and Lipton tea together. It might as well will work for you. Surely it will make u enjoy being a Gunner fan even more!
February 20th, 2008 at 1:49 am
btw stag, what’s the point going against your own team man? if we do go on and win 3-0 i bet all the Arsenal fans would celebrate like crazy, yet when i think of pool old Stag at that moment has to run around the street of the Italian section of Boston mocking Italian Americans I’d be a bit worry about ur personal safty. surely dont wanna see u get locked up and charged for “temporary insane”. that would make me feeling a bit of guilty.
so for the old time’s sake, and just for you Stag, now I decide to change my prediction to 4-0 to Arsenal.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:19 am
The more I read Stag’s posts…the more I feel that the pessimistic stand that you always take is intentional
…i get the feeling that at the end of the day when Arsenal win the League and/or the CL you will come out and tell everyone that you always knew that we would win..but U were just trying to put a sense of perspective in the discussions on this site 
In any case…I am not complaining….makes for good reading.
@Nipuna….I hope it is on either of Zee Sports or Ten Sports …..If not I think i might watch it on SS3 which my Cable Guy thankfully provides me with.
@All…Going to be a great match today…Win or lose…this is going to be our biggest test this season…I did not watch the Man Utd match on Saturday because I anticipated the poor performance…But for this one I will probably be awake till 3:30 A.M in the morning to wath the end of it…There is absolutely no question that Arsenal will turn up for this match and in some style
Cheers
February 20th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Wayne/LDE, it is NOT on Zee Sports and Ten Sports are showing ManU. There is not even a repeat on either channel. The biggest tie of the CL. What idiots!!!
Wayne, what is SS3? Will they show our game?
I might have to try LDE’s streaming option - http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/
February 20th, 2008 at 2:36 am
@Nipuna…. I’m sure that Zee Sports will end up showing it ..their Schedules are never updated properly…if they were showing a delayed telecast then I would have been worried…but since nothing is mentioned i’m optimistic …Ten Sports/Zee Sports order of preference is Man Utd-Liverpool-Chelsea-Arsenal….since Liverpool and Chelsea played yesterday…that leaves Man Utd and Arsenal’s matches today. SS3 is Supersport 3..a South African 24 hour football channel….thankfully some of us here in Mumbai get the channel….Arsenal v/s Milan is scheduled to be shown live on it…so fingers crossed
Cheers,
February 20th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Wayne, Zee Sports showed last season’s Liverpool-Chelsea game last night and that’s exactly what the schedule on their website says. That’s why I am not confident. Fingers crossed.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:05 am
thompson gunner @53 , ejolsz @59. Thanks for your kind words.
Just hoping for a nice Arsenal win later today!!! 12 hour, 41 min to go
February 20th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Todays Times of India says its on Zee Sports…. anyway I dont get Zee Sports or SS3 whatever that is
.. so the stream it is … and another 600 bucks gone at 80 paise per MB 
February 20th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Strictly speaking Sachin has raised the bar for previews…previously I wasn’t motivated enough to do previews. I usually just stated the obvious… I guess competition always helps
…
Thanks SEH aka Ger… , thompsongunner, jizzyk and ejolsz n Mike rite at the start for the appreciation.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Ade is yet to score in the CL for Arsenal. Time to start.
February 20th, 2008 at 7:12 am
we need to play powerfully… Milan play narrow. So lets get our wide men out on the wings and stretch them. I trust ade in the air. Move the ball quickly, dont let them settle (flams job) crunch into some tackles (anyone but eboue cause that will mean throwing a truck at them to him) Show them the warrior side weve all seen and we will do fine. That along with hleb and dudu will win.
ARSEAL 3 - 1 MILAN
February 20th, 2008 at 8:27 am
good analysis here from an italian observer if you havent already ssen it…
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=487774&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=%27There+is+tremendous+admiration+for+Arsenal%27
marcotti thinks that milan will not sit back and soak up pressure like inter did last night.this would be a very favourable situation.i think we would have struggled against inter last night.they won countless 50/50s and were not prone to many mistakes.they were tactically sound.still strange they posed absolutely no threat goin forward.italian football is based on control of possession and they refused to do so, constantly booting it clear to relieve pressure.
milan will try to control the tempo.they will not simply pump balls forward like inter.marcotti thinks that gilardino(dubious prediction but pato,inzhagi are not fully fit) will start up front,meaning that their ability to play direct will be nullifed.gilardino poses no threat in behind or in ther air.stop kaka and you stop counter attack.thus set-pieces will be a crucial area to defend.
my friends beg to differ but i think we are gonna win this.attack the wings,not down the middle,nesta should be avoided.the fact that gattuso is unavailable is massive.if he gets his tail up your screwed.ambosini is a tidy player but lacks the tenacity and has nothing special about him.emerson might as well be gilberto in disguise.no pace,poor passer and not motivated at this stage of his career.
milan’s recent results would suggest that this will be a low-scoring affair(bar the 5-2 napoli game they have been barren in front of goal but resolute in defence).a 1-0 before HT will be a great scoreline.invite them on and hit them on the break as it opens.im so excited im going to bottle all work for the entire day.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Defense out the window in this one. How about a 5-3, or 4-3 match. Winner? Who knows…
February 20th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I finally watched the ManUre game - on Tivo fast-forward through a bourbon haze. Three of the goals had defending out of the Beazer Homes League after a lunchtime warm-up at the pub. Traore and Hoyte simply got scorched. Just horrible. Especially because it allowed that Shrek-ugly Rooney the strut about. Just hope there’s another drunken Irish family brawl at his wedding.
Okay, onto today. It’s amazing how a few glasses of Jack Daniels Old no.7 can alter your perspective. I was feeling not too optimistic before. Now - hic -I feel it’s yet another of our BIG TESTS. It cuts to the psychology of this emerging team. This year, our big motivation - or best one - is proving people wrong. We’re not old pros. We can’t control big games with patient tactics and the odd counter attack (or rather we tend to draw or lose when we try). We thrive on exuberance and last minute escapes and mighty fightbacks. To take the big picture, this defeat, which turned into an humiliation, was our subconscious finding a way to fire us up. Poor Fabregas admitted to sitting at home all day on Sunday trying to figure out what happened.
We may yet have a mini-Premiership ‘Vertigo wobble’ a la Newcastle. I sincerely hope not. There’s not much left in my bourbon bottle. But it wouldn’t surprise me, if we contrive to manufacture another extra big disaster to have to come back from.
The one flaw in this plan is if ManUre get their act together consistently for the rest of the season. Let’s hope they’re so full of themselves after Saturday, they showboat themselves in the foot.
But so far, all credit to this team of over-achievers, who were supposed to be lucky to make 5th place. They have made mistakes, but each time they have come back stronger in the league. Now let’s see if they can do the same to the aging lions of Milan.
Revised prediction: 2-0.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I’ve not talked about this before but so many games this season, Toure and Gallas have allowed a striker, sometimes even a lone striker, to continually receive a long ball and turn with absolutely no challenge. That’s unacceptable defending. One thing that Senderos does well, to his credit, is he never allows a striker to receive the ball and turn without getting in a strong challenge. In fact, Senderos wins most of those long balls. If Milan strikers can get on the end of long balls tonight then our task will be made that much tougher as Gilardino can definitely play with his back to goal. Kaka, via that outlet and set plays will be their main attacking threat.
I’ve also noticed in the domestic cup defeats that the long ball has been our worst enemy this season. Our defense, in theory, is built to cope with long ball but against Spurs and Man Utd, it killed us. We allowed Inzaghi-type runners to get behind our defense and pose a threat. We’ve got to check that.
Milan will look to slow the game down. With the slightest contact, they’ll go to ground and talk to the referee. We’ve got to be careful not to conceed free kicks in dangerous positions, direct or indirect. Inzaghi’s just as dangerous as Eduardo, especially on the indirect free kicks. We’ve also got to be calm, knowing they’ll look to frustrate us by slowing the game down.
This game has Eduardo written all over it. Nesta can’t check Adebayor alone and Eduardo has a way about him that allows him to find space and get onto the end of loose balls. I hope he has a good night.
It’ll be interesting to see how well Eboue plays tonight. After Saturday’s red card and all the “Milan intrest” smack he was talking during the AFCON, he’s got to play well. Jankulovski is one of the best LB’s in the world and he’s got a very descent shot. It’s important that Eboue play disciplined. It will be interesting to see if Eboue can pose an attacking threat. To his credit, Eboue’s first step rivals that of Robinho and Messi, but he lacks their guile. I never thought he’d fare well as a RM, but tonight he’s got a chance to prove himself.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Great efforts on the previews. Sometimes we (ArseAm) tend to let this site degenerate into a circular firing squad or allow the rampant ego of one poster to drive the train straight off the rails (I’m looking in the mirror on that last one).
ArseAm.com, at its best, combines intelligence, wit, attention to detail and passion. This posting is a perfect example.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
adebayor can beat nesta…but i think his main task should be to hold the ball and DRAG the central defenders about. eduardo can then shadow him and pounce.
fabregas and hleb need to be imperious. flamini needs to run into the ground. the rest just have to have basic competence.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
The biggest problem will be getting through their defensive wall. It will hopeless if Adebayor plays up on his own and a complete waste of a player if Gilberto AND Flamini start in a 5-man midfield.
Even with two strikers it will be difficult to break them down unless the full backs give us some real width. Without width I can see it become very frustrating indeed.
You have a left back like Maldini up against Sagna, there should only be one winner in the pace stakes - Sagna could be massive for us tonight if his head’s in the right place, although wouldn’t surprise me if it wasn’t - you don’t get over losing a brother in one week.
This is Wenger’s chance to prove there is a tactical brain resident in his head. Idiotic decisions like persisting with a formation that is clearly not working until the damage is done should not be tolerated. But let’s see what happens.
The paper talk has got me excited, game by game I am an optimist at heart - even if in the long term I am a realist.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
3 HOURS TO KICKOFF!!!!
I CANT WAIT…
Personally, I have no idea what the outcome of this game will be. After watching all these EPL and domestic cup games, you kind of know what to expect except for the odd drubbing one way or another.
But Champions League, and especially against AC Milan should be a great watch. Could be a 3-0 thumping like we did to Seville… but could easily be 0-2 if we lose our heads and let Kaka hit us on the break. Thats why its MUST SEE TV (thank you for internet streaming).
Keeping my fingers crossed for a 3-0. Go you Gunners!
February 20th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
This is sort of game where form goes out the window, and in the inherent class of a player comes to the fore. Milan eptomise this more than anyone else. That’s why the game tonight worries me. Especially in midfield. They have three absolute champions league stars in Pirlo, Seedorf, and Kaka, while we have Fabregas and Hleb. So they outnumber us there. For Flamini and Eboue read Massimo Ambrosini and Gennaro Gattuso. That’s another one Milan edge, due to that muppet Eboue.
My point? Arsenal should not get too caught up in trying to the tango with these guys in midfield. Instead play a direct physical game with Adebayor as the focal point and tell Eduardo to play the box-prowling game of his life. If and when Milan start getting ruffled, slide Hleb to the left and get back on the dancefloor with these guys. We can’t out-fox them playing playing triangles from the start. Not with the midfield they have, although testing the water in the first five minutes or so is acceptable.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
#62 Fred
“a big LOL @ almunia’s ghost stories………..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=516129&in_page_id=1779&ct=5 “
Almunia getting time off at lunch to go home and protect his wife from a ghost. Not likely! Think about it, standing outside in your skives in the cold damp English air or having yourself a pleasant little snuggle under the duvet at home. You know those Spaniards they’re a passionate people.
I mean really, what a tissue of lies, they could have said he was going home to meet with Elvis on hair management issues if you look at his mop – whose the slim shady. It’s sad that you can just publish anything these days.
If not I want the drugs, he and his wife are on and he could post here as SToneD_emirate_keeper.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=593155
latest team news suggests that kalac will start.massive blow to our chances.this guy is massive.
also claims that maldini and bonera will occupy the flanks.less ball-playing but better defenders.will probably double up on the wings.maldini will snuff out eboue from the start.
still think we have a chance.the more i think about the less goals i think will be coming.a 1-0 is realistic.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
In all competitions, Arsenal have only lost 1 of their last 57 home games - I think the crowd will play its part too.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
The low goals scenerio is very likely. We always tend to have romantic visions of Arsenal cutting a swathe through teams in these sort of games, with Hleb, Fabregas, or Pires and Henry from yesteryear, amped up. Ninety per cent of the time though it’s a chess match and it’s half-time before you know it with the scores tied at 0-0.
You never know though. Hleb and Fabregas have the capabilities to cause collateral, however the absence of Rosicky from the triangle hinders the likelihood of some an event occuring.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
not nearly as footballistically erudite as you guys, but for the record i’m going with 1-1.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
lineups are posted on uefa.com
pato, kaka, gattuso… all starting… so much for all those fake injury reports!
reading the ac milan lineup are definitely the club of stars. our team is definitely much less known (outside our community).
cmon you gunners!
February 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
looks like its going to be
—Lehmann–
Sagna/Toure/Gallas/Clichy
Eboue/Cesc/Flamini/Hleb
—-Ade/Eduardo—-
February 20th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Shame we have to put up with that snivelling little shit Eboue, but I don’t see what choice Wenger has.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Kalac
Oddo Kaladhze Nesta Maldini
Gattuso Pirlo Ambrossini
Seedorf
Kaka
Pato
February 20th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
team line up is as expected. it was either eboue or gilberto so wenger had no choice given that rosicky and diaby are still out.
i think this is a good squad….as long as eboue can just hold it together for just this one game.
they are playing 4-5-1 with pato up front supported by kaka in a free role. inzaghi is the only dangerman on the bench. it seems they will be more than happy with a draw.
oddo and kaladze are on the wings. we need to beat them silly.
toure and gallas HAVE to hold pato and kaka.
eboue and flamini will really need to work VERY VERY HARD. lots of running.
too excited to work! thank god no midday meetings today!
February 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
TOure off injured.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
What happened to Toure?
February 20th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
oohh.. that was close. if only Adebayor had picked out Fabregas..