Morning all.
Well, did you stay up to watch The Masters final round? Yep, me too. It was amazing. Poor old Rory must have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions as he let a lead slip away, return and slip away again on the final hole. An18th hole playoff between he and Justin Rose was required. Ordinarily I’d be rooting for the Englishman but not this time, not knowing which football club he supports. Rory produced perfection to take the green jacket. Much to the approval of the American fans who’d been routing for him all along, or at least that’s how it seemed.
Sport produces great moments, great occasions and at times, great big surprises.
Arsenal Football Club caused a bit of a surprise just under a week ago, hoping of course to spring another on Wednesday night in Madrid. I think we’d all agree that if Mikel Arteta’s team went on to lift the Champions League Trophy, it would be footballs biggest surprise, or even shock, of the season.
I’d imagine Carlo Ancelotti and everyone involved with Real Madrid believe that on Wednesday, they will overturn the three goal deficit at the Bernabeu, Mikel Arteta, his staff, players and all Arsenal fans, will be praying they don’t. Madrid need to score four goals, Arsenal just need to not concede more than two. But I’m sure Arteta will be thinking more about scoring goals to put the tie to bed.
Ancelotti rested a few players yesterday, a move which paid off as his side took the lead in the first half but as anyone watching will confirm, they were fortunate to win the game which they had Courtois to thank for.
The atmosphere inside The Bernabeu will be hostile I’m sure, something which Thomas Partey knows all about having played in many a Madrid derby.
I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here and I think it’s not going to be something different. We just have to be confident with the ball and try to play our game.
We all know what we have to do. We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game. And I think we have to play our game, be confident with the ball and also try to find our weaknesses and keep attacking them.
Yes, I think there’s a typing error in there as it’s Real’s weaknesses which we need find and exploit.
Partey was speaking after the game so perhaps his injury is little to be concerned about, after all, if he was in pain, I’m sure the the last thing he’d have been thinking about was talking to the media. He’d have been in with the physios trying to work out what was wrong and whether or not he’d be fit for Wednesday.
Yesterday’s results did us a bit of a favour as Chelsea dropped two points at Stamford Bridge so no advantage gained by them as far as the top five goes. Yes, it’s a top five this season. Totts were battered by Wolves which has no bearing on the European places but it’s just funny. Newcastle thumped Man Utd giving Eddie Howe’s side hope of a Champions League finish and as expected, Liverpool lucked their way to another three points.
Anyway, it’s all about the Champions League this week and whether Arsenal can hold on to their three goal lead and can Aston Villa score the three goals they need, without conceding, to send PSG packing tomorrow night? I think it’s fair to assume Barcelona are through to the semi-finals and if Inter win at home, they’ll be there too.
Catch up in the comments..
Morning. I have every faith that they will crack it on Wednesday. The Team seems to flourish and love playing when it comes to big teams.
I can’t see us conceding 4 or not scoring ourselves.
*THE BERNABEU ON TRIAL*
All i hear is the Bernabeu, the Bernabeu, the awe-inspiring Bernabeu! The mind games have started. Analysis, analysis, and yet more analysis! Their seeming verdict is that Madrid will be invisible at the Bernabeu. What is so special about the Bernabeu? Is the pitch different? Are the fans of a different hue? Will they be allowed a different set of players in the Bernabeu? In fact, in the aftermath of what we saw at the Emirates, what is so special about this Real Madrid side? After all, we hit them 3-0!!!🔥💪🏿 Abi na awoof goals?🤣
They came to the Emirates with inflated ego, and with somewhat frightening and larger-than-life tales of their all-conquering ability. They strode onto the Emirates ground as vassals, who have come to chasten and teach the Arsenal wannabes some lessons on how not to aspire to punch above their weight. Their names were intimidating, so also their reputation. Do not forget, they are the overlords of the Champions league! – 15 times winners.
The pundits, still with eggs on their faces, and shamed by their arrogance and sheer failure to call the 1st leg tie correctly, are digging in their heels, salivating and looking to resurrect past Bernabeu turnarounds. They aver that the “gods” in the Bernabeu are unrepentantly partisan, and only allow the home side to score. They refuse to understand that history repeats itself, a second time, only as a farce. Yet, they are so convinced that the Bernabeu magic will cow and intimidate the Emirates glory boys. Who says that Arsenal will not score in the early minutes of that game? Who even says that, it will not be double jeopardy for the pundits?
Wasn’t it how they hyped the huge disadvantage Arsenal faced by playing the first leg at the Emirates. Their history told them that it was an impending deathknell. With this evil wish turned into a beautiful dream, they conveniently choose to change the goalpost – yes, the Bernabeu must be it!
Yes, 4 times in the past in the Champions league, teams have done the unthinkable, overturning a 3-0 deficit, to progress to the next round –
1. 2003/2004. AC Milan 4, Deportio La Coruna 1. Deportivo won 4-0 in the 2nd leg
2. 2016/17. PSG 4, Barcelona 0. Barca won 6-1
3. 2017/18. Barcelona 4 – Roma 1. Roma won 3-0 and progressed on away goals rule.
4. 2018/19 – Barcelona 3 – Liverpool 0, Liverpool won 4-0 in the 2nd leg.
I have neither seen Real Madrid here nor the Bernabeu 👀
I hope the Arsenal minders are working on the players. Now, it is a mental thing. It is 11 against 11. On the pitch, they have bigger names, but we have a better team. From the Bernabeu stands, the crowd will shout themselves hoarse, but cannot enter the pitch – score against them and you silence them.
Sometimes, God will put a Golliath in your life, for you to unleash the David within you. The act of facing overwhelming odds produces greatness and beauty. Can these Gunners still their hearts, close their ears to naysayers, focus, and perhaps, the famed Bernabeu will be their own stomping ground! Why not? *Their first leg total capitulation has shown that, irrespective of name, pedigree, and famed 15 titles, “”i get am before no be property.””*
COYG
Dan Egwu
Good morning Rico, I didn’t sit up to watch the golf. “A good walk spoilt” is my definition of the game.
All attention now is on Wednesday in Madrid. Speculation can be fun but we won’t know until an hour before kick off who is going to start.
I was relieved to read this morning that there is no chance of Arsenal extending the stay of Sterling at the club. 😉
The atmosphere though Dan. The way to silence them is to score.. lol
Morning Cicero, I’ve heard that said before about golf but I love it. 😝
Thank goodness for that re Sterling, one of the worst loan signings the club has ever made..
Afternoon Rico, it’s all gone a little quiet on here today, the lull before the storm no less, but I also didn’t sit up to watch the golf, personally I’m a little sad that Rose didn’t win, tbh I didn’t even know that he was still in the race? Since Nick Faldo packed it in my interest in golf has ebbed away.
Nice post Daniel, it’s going to be a tough assignment but we have the game to go there and get a result.
Of course what we can’t control is the courage, honesty and integrity of the officials, we all know that Madrid will pull out all of the stops to get an advantage and working the referee is one of them, having an honest and courageous VAR is another, he has to be the fail safe in case the referee succumbs to all the pressure he’ll be put under…
I have three major thoughts about this game:
Number One: Can we finish the match with 11 Arsenal players on the field?
Number Two: What will be the home crowds response if Arsenal score first?
Number Three: How will our team cope if Madrid score first?
Afternoon Kev.
Those concerns are kind of mine too. I still believe the powers that be would like to see an all Spain final. We really can’t afford to give the officials any serious decisions to make and I bet with all the fuss about MLS’ temperament, he’ll be got at.
I dread us conceding an early goal.
François Letexier Is the referee, he’s French. Perhaps he’ll want to keep Real away from PSG. 😜
He’s never officiated in an Arsenal game but he’s done Real Madrid four times, 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss so make of that what you will?
Agree rico, what a night watching the Masters. Nothing usually comes close to me getting nervous watching Arsenal. But watching Rory’s putts in the last round was like Arsenal in a penalty shootout. I think Rose is one of the nicest sportsman in the world, but I still wanted Rory, just, as he’s been under such pressure for 11 years before finally becoming the 6th ever Grand Slam winner. Was exhausted going to bed after that!
We’ve not been in the CL for years Kev. 😝
I couldn’t believe his start Andrew, I thought it was going to carry on in the same vein but my goodness, he put himself through the mill that’s for sure. And us. Lol
It’s all gone very quiet from the club, no pre-match nonsensical comments, just focus…
Rico
Afternoon All
Just Testing
Rico Can you check your emails Please
It always used to be the case that you were meant to support all the British teams in Europe,now football is so tribal I’m pretty sure most fans of Premier league teams can’t wait for us to fail.
Hopefully they will have to wait a bit longer.
I don’t mind myself if Aston Villa win tonight.