Every morning I wake up I see my Champions league poster on the wall and I keep on asking myself the same question. Pose the same question point-blank to Fabregas, how do you think he will respond?
The common responses will be: yes, no or maybe. Frankly speaking I don’t know. Pose the same question to football fans but change Arsenal with Barcelona, Chelsea or Madrid; most respondents will give you a definite yes without even blinking an eye. Why is this not the case with us? Some will say we lack quality in players such as Denilson, Song, Diaby, and Fabianski. Some will say that AW has lost the plot. Others will say we lack experience while others will say our management only cares about the balance sheet. All this responses have one common denominator: No.
We are praised by neutrals, coaches and even some pundits for playing eye candy stuff but is this really enough? We may brag about being in the CL for 14 years on the trot but what do we have to show for it?… Absolutely nothing. We had our best and worst night in Paris which as we all know ended up in heartbreak. Are we in danger of being the Cheryl Tweedy of the European big boys? Truth be told to become part of the elite you have to win the big eared trophy.
Why is it then that we aren’t considered as favorites? To play our brand of football you must have quality players on your payrolls so to me the problem has never been about quality. Our biggest problem is concentration.
Last season we lost heavily at the Camp nou. We took the lead through Nicklas B but we immediately switched off culminating in Silvestre playing a one-two with Messi and the rest is history. In 08-09 we began the match like possessed men knowing a win would send us to the final. We were all over them but our back line switched off resulting in two quick fire goals that left millions of goners shell-shocked. In 07-08 we looked like the best team in Europe till that fateful night at Anfield. After Diaby had given us the lead Senderos lost his man when pool had a corner kick which gave them a lifeline despite them chasing shadows being cast by the Anfield flood lights all night. Walcott turned the game on its head with a slalom run that had footy fans everywhere gasping in amazement. I celebrated in my living room like a mad man but as soon as the game restarted we switched off again! Gerrard stepped up and we were out despite playing some memorable stuff that night. Ade even managed to miss a gilt-edged chance after being set up by Hleb; he took his eye off the ball at the vital moment.
Are we likely to see these lapses in concentration when Barca, Chavs or Madrid plays…No. That’s how fine the margin is between winning it and losing it. Teams like Porto, Dortmund and Pool have won it with less known players but they had 100% concentration when it mattered most. Last season we were beating AZ Alkamar 4 nil but right in the end they pulled one back. Vermaelen was incensed but the rest of our players didn’t look concerned at all. We need more of that Vermy mentality whereby a last-ditch tackle is as important as a goal itself. As it is said goals may win games but defenses win titles.
Partizan Belgrade has a very hostile environment at home. After scraping through to the group stage on penalties against Anderlecht, the Serbians are very much reliant on the goal scoring exploits of Brazilian attacker Cleo and will have a rough ride in the group unless the forward is at his very best. They are a very well-drilled squad who play a 4-4-1-1 format. They have had a decent start to the season. Complacency shouldn’t be allowed since their home crowd won’t make it easy for us. We have a much better team but as we have witnessed over the last couple of years is that you will never know which team will show up. Will it be the one that faced Braga or the one that faced WBA?
We need to score early to silence their home fans. To do this we’ll need a leader in the absence of Fabregas, Vermaelen, Van Persie and Almunia. Squillaci will have to take that mantle and command the back line as we all know how fragile Fabianski is right now. In midfield Rosicky should take charge to help the likes of Nasri and Wilshere blossom. The reason I am including jack is because with him in there our midfield is more direct and fluid which in turn makes our attacks incisive. AA should continue his good form in Europe so far. He should take more responsibility especially in the absence of Cesc. All in all we want our team to go out there and play the way we know they can. Our away fans should cheer the team all the way because despite the disappointments and heart breaks we will always support them.
Partizan probable 11: Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Ilic; Stevanovic, Jovanovic, Krstajic, Lazevski; Tomic, Petrovic, Smiljanic, Ilic; Iliev; Cleo.
C’MON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by KTR7
Morning All
Great read again KTR7, thank you
My answer is – with all the luck we are due over the years yes, but reality says no, not all the time we have just a few players who don’t step up to the mark..
I’m not going to harp on about Almunia, Fabianski and a few others – but if we keep the likes of Cesc, Nasri, AA, Theo, TV, Kos, Gibbs, Sqilli, Jack, Chamakh, Song etc fit and healthy for the whole season, we can get something, but I can’t see us winning the CL…
We will never win it with Wenger as a coach he is far to inferior when it comes to tactics furthermore he has this stick up his backside that tells him we must play blinding attacking football whoever we meet.It is a great idea when you have a side consisting of players like Iniesta and Xavi who are intelligent players with exquisite ball control but it rather lacks some meaning when you see our meandering midfield with dopes like Big D,Denilson,Song,Eboue and Rosicky,several of these players have played more then 150 games for Arsenal and they still cant control a ball over 5 yards it is horrendeous watching they even switch off when we are not leading and that is inexcusable.
Morning Danish,
Rosicky is playing well… And Song just misses Cesc..
Morning all.we’ll find out the answer to my question when may comes around.
Morning KTR7, We need Lady Luck on our side…
Luck plays a huge role rico.if the ref had allowed bojan’s goal to stand in last season’s tournament Barça would probably have retained the title.in 08-09 barca had lady luck on their side at the Bridge.
We are due a dose KT, look at the dipper game, look at when the chavs beat us in the final moments at highbury, same in the league with all the injuries…
but we build are own luck, and to do that they have to stay switched on as a team for 90 minutes, not just when they feel like it…
some of our players are a bit too laid back, and it shows all too often…
whenthat happens, wenger and rice need to be off of their seat and getting the message accross, not sat, legs crossed huffing and puffing….
not in a million years are we going to win the UCL under Wenger. We coiuld not win it with viera, pires, henry, bergkamp, cambell, seaman in the team W e are never gonna win iy with Alumnia, CLichy, Diaby, Song, etc……..Our best shot at winning a cup is the carling cup , but after being drawn up against Newcastle in the North EAst , I doubt we will make it past the next round.Unless we take our strongest team up there.
Rico- i totally agree with. Wenger and Rice do not seem to care when we play the so called small team. They are hardly up on the touchline shouting at the players like other coaches. They should treat all games the same whether we are playing Totenham, Manu, Chelsea , wigan, WBA,or Blackpool. Complacency actually filters from the bench. On saturday he was supposed to make changes at half time but he thought the same players who had dished out dross were going to win it for us coz it was WBA. On saturady he just sat there on the bench , hoping for a miracle….we demand more from the manager.
sorry for the delay jena, first comments go into moderation…
the ‘silent bench’ amazes me, you look around at all the other top managers and they are on and off their seats all the time, ours look like cutouts some days…
especially PR
jena, dont get me started on the subs, i thought he had turned a corner when we played the spuds, he made the right changes at the right time which won us the game… Saturday… well!
Jena the current squad is much better in Europe compared to the invincibles.
Why do you think that KTR7 ?
Rico the furthest the invincibles got in Europe was the quarters.those players during the earlier Aw regime were constantly outplayed by the likes of Deportivo and even get eliminated in the group stages.that team was ideal for the PL but in Europe it was found wanting.The current side has already outperfomed the invincibles in Europe and if they can improve their concentration levels,who knows?…However we need to add abit of invincibles philosophy to our play especially when we come against the likes of Inter who can defend all day.the closest we were to win was in Paris where we had a mix of invincibles (henry,gilberto,sol…) and current generation of players (cesc,hleb,flamini…).im sure Aw is trying to mix the two philosophies to handle both PL and Europe.
I only asked KT a i did a post a while back about, ‘are we really as badly of etc’ it’s interesting that you believe we have a beeter squad…
what saddens me is if we are really that close, what is it that stops wenger pushing us one step further…
Morning Rico and all,
A very interesting read KT. I am still thinking about what you have written.
I am also a bit surprised at comments elsewhere that AW and Pat Rice don’t show emotion from the bench, when only a couple of days ago ‘Arry was saying that Wenger had lost it and was a “nutter” because of his Basil Fawlty antics on the bench.
Different perspectives, I suppose.
KT,
Again an interesting viewpoint, but don’t forget we came within a whisker of winning the CL in Paris when Thierry had 2 one on one chances with the keeper and inexplicably blew both of them.
In addition we played a large part of the game with 10 men.
Not Wenger’s fault that night.
Morning RA –
My comment about AW and PR relates to during the game, not just a frantic session with 5/10 mins to go when we are losing – surely being the very clever manager he is he should be able to spot when the team goes into a lull, that’s when he needs to be geeing them up a bit, get the concentration back, the focus, a word wenger likes to use so often…
Its all very quiet here so i am going to pop off for a while…..
It’s so quiet on here i can hear WATH snoring.
I can write what I like.
Elephants wearing tutus capering with Bengal tigers wearing fluffy slippers.
Fat Sam should be imprisoned for being sooooo ugly!
Arsenal will win 4:0 tonight!!!!!
Hi RA, I’m around but you are right, its very very quiet 🙁
Rico,
Where have all the apples gone?
You haven’t started another new post have you? 🙂
I also don’t snore you cheeky bartard……………
Nice post KT but to answer the question can we win the CL……….?? not in a month of sundays….!
😆 RA, nah, not until the morning 😉 😉
Afternoon Rico and u RA, was gonna call you a barturd but know how sensative you get so I refrained lol
Pssd, WATH, you do 😉 😉
Hi WATH – we’d need more than a month of sundays 😉
Hmmmm u were constantly awake so how would you know 😉
That’s what kept me awake 😉
That’s such a lie and u kno it 😛
Back in 20 mins, don’t go away …..
My grandad said to me “if you want to get a grizzly out of the bush, poke him in the arse with a sharp stick”.
I am sure he would have gone on to say “if you want a WATH to blog, stick a snoring joke on him”, trouble is the bear got the silly sod! 🙂
She’s too quick for you WATH. 🙂
😆 WATH, reckon we’ll get something form the game tonight or another ‘lets not bother’ night for the boys in red…
RA 😆
won’t be long…. said the actress……. 😉
The actress was on the other side of the room….. If you want a bear out the woods RA throw him some honey the other side of the rd…..
WATH,
I am going out too, although I can’t say I won’t be long. 🙂
Back with Rico later. 😉
It’s ok RA i’m told ur always done very quickly………..
I’m back 🙂
Hello (echo) (echo) (echo)
Is there anybody there….?
Good Afternoon anyway.
I have resigned myself to not be optimistic as per todays game so if we draw, I’m fine, if we win I’ll be cautiously joyful cos if we win with a clean sheet, Wenger will say, “You zee? I have alweys beelieved Flappy Hanskie had zé mental strength to peform very well een zé big gamez eeer,he weel become zé legend like zé Seemon and Leemon!”
Scary thought that…
What about the front……..?
welcome back rico, how’s your day been?
I think u got it right TBuz when you mentioned a lemon and flappy in the same sentence………….
Hey WATH, hows it goin? I see R.A has been commenting about your online-snoring!! That was cheeky of him indeed!
Yes he’s a cheeky toe-rag is that RA bit much from someone with a permanent red arse eh ! ! ! ! !
It’s going ok mate willl be going lots better if we don’t lose 2nite but the mere fact of what’s in goal makes me want to go and listen to Val Doonigan on repeat…!
Hi T-buzz, its been a busy one 🙁 and its cold!
How’s your day been T-buzz, i like the wenger quote to be 🙂
Don’t forget to get you cardigan out then WATH, i feel a loss on the cards… not often do i think as negative as i do today…
I’ll get me pillow and get ready 4 bed now then I reckon. . . . . .
Afternoon all…
Been busy at work rico and its been quite dull out in the city(London) too.
WATH, as silly as it may sound, I hope the opposition score a very silly goal against us whether we eventually win or draw, Flappy Hands in goal even if in training gives me the heeby-jeebies!!
He reminds me of Frank Spencer!
Afternoon K-TR7, busy day?
That’s funny TB think i’d rather have Frank SPencer in goal so how mad is that but yes your right, a howler from flappy and surely but surely AW has to play Chezny..?????????????????? Surely ??????????????
Allo KT….! Nice post mate…!
And the rocking chair 😉
T-buzz, i would hate that to happen if it means a loss, i can’t stomach another crap result…
but, if at 5-0 Flappy makes a total hash – which no doubt he will tonight then i’m all for it. I honestly think had Chesney kept his mouth shut he would be playing tonight….
dont forget the werthers original…… 😉
I honestly dont blame Chezzny for speaking out cos he knows how arrogant L’Boss can be sticking with Flappy and the Al-Clownia. Jo Hart spoke out and is now Citeh’s goalie…
Lets him loose, and if he happens to mess up, he’ll have to shut up then.
i don’t blame him either T-buzz, what has he got to do to get his chance?
I sound like a broken old record sometimes 😉
Doom, doom, we are all doomed. Woe, woe …… stop that hoss! 🙂
No, we are going to win handsomely tonight, and tomorrow all will be sweetness and light.
It will be a tense game but happy Flappy will not c**p his nappy!
Now steady on Rico, “broken” is going too far! 🙂
Of for a while see ya all lata……………
😆 RA, i feel it ….
RA is on a cheeky roll today!! LOL 🙂
Hi T-Buzz.
Scezny will almost definitely commit a huge blunder when he eventually gets a chance and the crowd will collectively go “ohhhhhhhhh, sh*******t!”.
It’s written in the stars. 🙂
Sssh! T-Buzz, I don’t think Rico noticed! 🙂
I haven’t seen enough of szczesny to form an opinion.i have only heard rave reviews from Brentford players,fans and manager.some fans are saying he is the best player they have seen there.according to some sources apparently he has been very impressive in training jumping ahead of Mannone in the pecking order.
Hi KT,
Are you doing the match write up?
Catch you later WATH…
RA, nope, I’m doing it tonight, aren’t you all lucky 😉 😉
I have noticed RA & T-buzz 🙂
KT – there is a compilation of his performances on youtube, i know it doesn’t tell the whole story, but….
I’ll see if i can find it..
RA which write up are you talking about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brPWeQIc4Eo
Here it is….
I was talking about tonight’s CL match write up, but Rico has just said she is doing it.
I like your reports but Rico has a great style to hers too. 🙂
Hello HH 😉 evening all
Nice post KTR7
3 points today although the WBA episode still burns my skin.
The 1 good thing today in my view is that I am gonna watch the game on telly for the first time this season 😀 yeaaay!
Hi RA you are referring to post game write up?
hello all. three points tonight please. coming away from beograd with only one will not be the end of the world – but we really should get three, considering saturday’s result.
interesting take by k. i offer that any team can win the champions league – so many other factors contribute than just squad construction: draw, injuries, squad form in april as opposed to november, etc, etc. i suggest that our squad can win one off, but as constructed, is not built for sustained success. and i define sustained success is at least one european cup win, and semi-finals appearances in three out of every four seasons. goalkeeper is the obvious problem, but i feel our squad also lacks the necessary intensity and maturity. we are growing experience, but we need more to get us over the hump.
Hi Stef,
Is that because you have now got coins for the meter? 🙂
Hi Stef and oliver
‘but we need more to get us over the hump.’
Spot on oliver, not a lot, but a little bit more than what we have…
Stef, great news that you will get to see the game, now you have no excuse to do match reports in the future 🙂 🙂
Stef, yes a report on tonight’s match for tomorrow’s Post.
Hi Oliver. You have a good point, although your definition of sustained success is open to other definitions. As Arsene! 🙂
Newsnow has been full of GK rumours, and if I am honest, that bores me rigid too. We all know AW will buy someone for £2,999,999.99 in January. The 1p discount might be a del breaker though.
RA, I am doing tonights…..
Stef, you write a post when you want, don’t be pressured by RA 🙂 🙂
what i am really hoping is that szczesny establishes himself as first choice. i think he is our number one of the future, and if he can claim the jersey and play as everyone thinks he can, it will vindicate arsene’s decision not to go for a young, rene adler/manuel neuer/allan mcgregor type goalkeeper. for me, nothing vindicates having to play fabianski tonight, but that is another discussion.
Oi Rico,
Not a word about Stef writing a Post passed my keyboard. I only asked our European correspondent KT if he was doing it, and you had already said you were on the ball tonight! 🙂
Apology accepted. 😉
ra, the bill cowher to giants talk has started again. after the team’s last two performances, it is inevitable. i think anything short of an nfc title game appearance sees couglin sacked at the end of the season. this seems to be the job cowher has waited for since he left pittsburgh, so i fully expect to see him on the giants sidelines next season.
oliver, i hope he does too, but…… i fear he will leave…
RA, Then i am truly…… &^**&%$£$(*^%%$
gosh, what has happened to my keyboard 😉
Afternoon oliver.i hope he doesn’t hype himself up only for him to commit howlers fabianski can only dream of…
KT, did you watch the clip of chesney?
afternoon k, we are fast approaching the point where we have to find out what we have here, for better or for worse…
Rico thats impressive i have to admit but as i said i have to watch him in full games.i especially want to see his decision making in a match.
Fair comment KT…
Rico,
😉 😉
Rico fabianski has the one of most superb reflexes i’ve ever seen even youtube will show it but those vids won’t show you how poor/excellent the decision making is.you tube vids make robinho look absolutely superb but what they don’t show is his poor attitude.thats why i don’t pass judgement on players based on those vids because the mental aspect isn’t focussed on.
The grim night in the `White City` is upon eat garlic and onions to scare of the vampires lurking in the stands 😀
Load your guns Gunners and prepare for the hunt tonight
Bring your crosses and stakes and do not I repeat do not forget your holly water, who knows Vlad Dracula might be into `soccer`, Well he is only a border away.
Our Van Helsing is still injured since his last battle I hope our new gunman form Morocco brings his guns loaded. We will certainly miss our Catalan priest his stakes looked sharped, the young Theodore the bringer of hope with the speed of the thunder is out too.
The young guardian Kieran is ready for a crimson European night.
And don’t fall asleep!
Oliver,
Darn it. I thought Coughlin would pull us thru but frankly after the start we have had I cannot wait to see the back of him frankly.
Stop it Stef, you are scaring the kids! 🙂
RA be a afraid be very afraid.
Remember the wolves we didn’t bring our silver bullets then.
Oh well there is always a lesson in the past hope WBA is a wake up call.
Kt, i am sure wenger scouts for keepers on You Tube 😉
RA, you got my drift then 😉 😉
the keyboard hashes i meant RA 😉
ra, i don’t think coughlin is gone just yet. i think he has this season. thing is, he has one more year and the maras do not do “lame ducks” (unlike the wilpons/mets with jerry manuel). if coughlin does not win big this year, they will sack him so as not to go into next season with a head coach that everyone knows will not return.
jerome bettis is the person stirring the “cowher – giants” stuff again, just as back in january. however, it seems pretty well understood that cowher is definitely interested in the giants – his record (sb win with steelers) and rep make him a good, credible choice. but i expect he will have to wait until the off-season.
that is, provided things do not completely fall apart. i’ve listened to coughlin’s post-game and monday media sessions, and he is still seething over the turnovers and penalties. and i think he is feeling the strain too. disastrous end to last season, poor start to this one. he is part of the bill parcells coaching tree, which means that like his mentor, his relations with the media were never that good, even at the best of times. now he is back to being short-tempered, dismissive, even condescending – just like parcells after a bad result.
I quite like you drifting Rico! 🙂
Oliver,
I read the NY Times and blogs on line and, from a distance, I cannot suppress a smile when I see his comments.
They are a strange mix of repressed anger (sometimes not so repressed) and excuses. But then I suppose stress gets to everybody in the end. I think he is a bust flush.
ra, you can download his press conferences (ny giants official podcast) on itunes, and listen to them. the transcripts do not convey the sarcasm and contempt his voice does. there is no question that the pressure and stress of last season’s collapse and a poor start are getting to him.
what’s really interesting is that parcells is ten times worse – notorious for bullying media – but he is rarely criticized. coughlin has always gotten killed in the media – even when we won the super bowl a couple of years ago.
justin tuck is doing this seasons weekly giants player spot with mike francesa on wfan (antonio pierce had been the player on with mike during previous season). i am listening to his interview from yesterday right now, and at least he (tuck) sounds calm and responsible.
guys you are watching Spartak Moscow vs. MSK Zilina 1-0 for the Russians or just went silent.
I’m no drifter RA, never see me ‘up on the roof’ 😉
hey rico you still here not making dinner or somethin`
Need to make 1 any ideas till it isn’t too late.
Rico,
I hope you will “save the last dance for me”? 🙂
Rico,
Of course if you don’t have a head for heights, “Up on the roof”, perhaps you will join me “Under the board walk”.
Stop it Oliver, I can hear you tapping your foot from 4K miles away. 🙂
RA you probably listening R u lonesome 2nite by EP 😛
if u r not I am
Stef,
I ain’t nuthin but a hound dog, but Rico having buggered off has left me all shook up! 🙂
Steff, still here, what do you fancy to eat??
Rico,
Is it true you have a “cruel, cruel heart”, because “I can’t help falling in love with you”. 🙂
RA, you do make me chuckle sometimes….. 🙂
Of course, if WATH has woken up and is reading this, I am only showing off my knowledge of some old songs.
it’s your fault, Stef. 🙂
Only sometimes, Rico? 🙂
I thought I was incorrigibly loveable! 😉
(Only kidding WATH) 🙂
come now RA everybody loves Elvis 😀
I am cookiing some meat usual stuff for me 😉
ok, always then RA 😉
Stef, i don’t 🙁
I’m in the mood for dancing, romancing …….. because of this flippin’ Chablis. 🙂
Time to go guys and gals, tomorrow. 🙂
RA left the building or should I say HH 😉
Nolans RA, just my cup of tea 🙂
Rico I like veggie food but I love meat I can’t help it 😀
so what are you going to cook then Stef … 🙂
Ok, i am off to cook dinner
see you before KO
forget dinner – Gibbs starts, as does Djourou and denilson!….
Fabianski
Sagna Squilli Djourou Gibbs
Denilson Song Rosicky
Wilshere Chamakh Arshavin
Made 3 dishes first 1 a pork shoulder without the bones with curry , second 1 ajvar(precooked peppers with little amount of eggplants) with hard white chees heated up, third 1 rise my momma cooked.
Rico looks like Coz has been `injured` also 😀
Clichy has been dropped!
he is probably `injured` too 😀
btw spartak won three nil
stef, i am impressed with you menu 🙂
I reckon he’s been dropped too KT, just hope Clichy is fit enough …
Against Zelina the side that lost at home against Chelsea
Finally finished eating 😀
Its about time our underperfomers get some action down the touchline with eboudinho.
Why on the official only Eboue says has been dropped.
hmmm…
That means the others aren’t fit enough or are rested for the bridge game.
Good Stef, now lets hope the chavs lose too….
i’m off to watch, see you at H/T… 🙂
afc.com tell porkies stef…
No Nasri, stoopid!!!
i take it that they will play, even though floodlights were a problem earlier?
Love those blue and yellow trainning outfits 🙂
Ohhh and Lazevski is my countryman the nickname of Partizan is gravediggers I thought u didn’t know this…
c ya in HT rico
my belly hurts lol 😀
Rico nasri has played:90 minutes vs braga,sunderland and west brom while he played 120 minutes vs Tiny totts so he needs a breather.
4-4-1-1 ??? 😕 what a heck
We will see Jack up front.
i know kt, but i miss him 🙁
We looked pretty strong just like against the totts only 1-0 and then a crappy goal this time give away from Denilson who played well.
Song still looks shaky, Jack and Arshavin are in a roll.
Too bad we missed so many chances 1on1.
Same old same old, but to be fair, it’s not a ‘nice’ place to play, the home fans are awesome….
i’m booking off guys and gals, albeit no agag today 🙁
see you tommorrow, stay safe, nighty night…
I’ve always said what a brilliant keeper that Fabianski is………… 😉
Flappy!!!
New post up….