Good morning all.
Yes, it’s time to go again. Sunday and Monday was about celebration for the players and staff, now though, it’s back to training, preparing for one last game of the season. Arsenal v PSG at The Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday evening. A 5pm kick off for those of watching in the UK, 6pm in Central Europe.
So how did both clubs get to the final?
Arsenal breezed through their league fixtures winning all eight matches and conceding just four goals.
Athletic Club 0 Arsenal 2
Arsenal 2 Olympiacos 0
Arsenal 4 Atletico Madrid 0
Slavia Prague 0 Arsenal 3
Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Club Brugge 0 Arsenal 3
Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal 3 FK Kairat Almaty 2
When “people” try and suggest we had an easy route, the results above prove different. Inter, Atletico and Bayern, all despatched with relative ease. Then came the knockout round.
Bayer Leverkusen 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0
Sporting CP 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal 0 Sporting CP 0
Atletico Madrid 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal 1 Atletico 0
Job done, Budapest here we come.
PSG’s route looks like this:
PSG 4 Atalanta 0
Barcelona 1 PSG 2
Bayer Leverkusen 2 PSG 7
PSG 1 Bayern Munich 2
PSG 5 Totts 3
Athletic Club 0 PSG 0
Sporting CP 2 PSG 1
PSG 1 Newcastle 1
Their results left them needing a playoff fixture to qualify for the knockout stage.
Monaco 2 PSG 3
PSG 2 Monaco 2
PSG 5 Chelsea 2
Chelsea 0 PSG 3
PSG 2 Liverpool 0
Liverpool 0 PSG 2
PSG 5 Bayern Munich 4
Bayern Munich 1 PSG 1
Off to Budapest they go.
Whilst pundits etc suggested the 5-4 match against Bayern was brilliant, I think it showed that both clubs can score goals yet perhaps neither club are solid at the back. Take our semi final against them last year, I know they scored goals but had it not been for Donnarumma, the result in both legs might have been very different, especially the one in France. Thankfully, he won’t be between the sticks next Saturday. Instead it’ll be either French international Lucas Chevalier (6’ 2”) or Russian number one Matvey Safonov (6’ 4”).
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, two defences were battling it out to be the best over the two legs. A battle which Mikel Arteta’s team came out on top of. But for a different handball ruling in Europe, bonkers I know as it’s the same game and rules should be the same everywhere, Arsenal would have kept a clean sheet in both legs. We’d have had a second penalty too had the referee stood by his initial decision with the Ebe Eze foul, especially as there was no evidence of him making a clear and obvious error. These referees need to grown a pair and have more belief in themselves rather just go with VAR. After all, it’s nothing more than someone else’s opinion. The old ‘anywhere else on the pitch and that’s a foul’ mantra is ridiculous as a foul is a foul regardless of where it’s committed.
Let’s hope the officials, including VAR don’t ruin what could be a fabulous football match this Saturday.
Catch up in the comments.
New post up.
Evening Maasai, thank you.
Not sure about a lifelong contract, we don’t want to go down that road. We saw with Wenger how quickly things can unravel. I’m pretty sure he’ll sign a new one though.
Good evening Rico, Nice post that is. I honestly can’t wait for us to finally lift the Champions League in the Savanna. It will be surreal and fingers crossed it’s already written in the stars. I remember watching my favourite football show ‘The Champions’ on YouTube years back where players lived under the same roof and it was funny how different players characters would be if at all they lived under the same roof.
Ronaldo winning the Saudi Arabian League vividly reminded me a part in the show where he was surprised Arsenal dominated Europe and lifted every major trophy and that was even before the League phase in the Champions League had started.
It was a foresight of some sort and a prediction I am witnessing as it unfolds Infront of our eyes and I kinda have absolute confidence in this group of players and the gaffer to achieve every bit of success on offer.
We should all just brace ourselves because Arteta ball is taking over the world.
To Stan and Josh Kraonke, Give the man a Lifelong contract. Enjoy what the future holds Gunners!!
Potter, I avoided a lump on the head but did kibosh one of the greatest moments in Arsenal history for myself. I was a minister in Hertfordshire in the ’80’s and tended to plan my diary around Arsenal matches. That Friday night was originally down as having no game so I signed up to lead a prayer gathering. As we all know the Anfield match was rescheduled and so I videoed the game and swore my mates and the congregation to silence about the result. Got home just before 10 pm, turned on the telly and was just about to press play but before I could caught an image on the ten o clock news of Tony Adams lifting the trophy… Of course, I was over the moon, but watching the game knowing we would win meant I missed the intensity of the euphoria of the Michael moment.
Still, I comfort myself with the thought that in the great scheme of things my role was to be praying during the match, and, I guess most gooners were looking Heavenwards in those last few minutes, too…:)
“Arsenal come streaming forward now in surely what will be their last attack. A good ball by Dixon, finding Smith… for Thomas, charging through the midfield! Thomas, it’s up for grabs now! Thomas! Right at the end! An unbelievable climax to the league season.”
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
The great Brian Moore’s commentary is still tattooed over my hearts memory.
Hi Geoff, I hope he starts with Gyokeres, this is his kind of game I reckon.
Morning Rico and all, I am feeling a little bit confident that we can win this weekend, unfortunately I don’t have the full pay tv so can’t watch match but agree with Rico that Arteta will start Gyokeres,
Morning Kev, we should get a fee for all of those you list if Arsenal are planning to move them on but Martinelli is the only one likely to be sold for more than we paid.
Morning Champions, morning Rico, players whose contracts expire in June 2027:
Nordgaard,
Vieira,
Martinelli,
Trossard,
Nelson,
Jesus.
Gotta improve on our ability to turn, if not a profit, but a return on some of the above.
That’s so funny potter, I was at work ☹️
May 26 th where were you in 1989 ? If you ask around there were more than 100,000 in Anfield that night .
I was in an armchair at my mother in law’s country cottage in Norfolk , when the goal went in ,I let out such a roar they all came running in to see what happened. I had leapt out of the chair and hit my head on an oak beam in the ceiling.
Next morning I had a lump the size of an egg on my brow and a smile on my face every time someone asked me how I got it..
I reckon Arteta will go with Gyokeres up top, Rice and MLS. Odegaard is likely to start too imo, with Trossard and Saka. The back five picks itself really.
Morning Stuart, Cicero. Thank you.
Mosquera for me too unless Timber is 100%.
A ref like the one at Palace would be ideal. No fuss, no drama and just let the game flow.
Good morning Rico. 5 stars again.
Just a one off game, all or nothing. May the best side win and may Var not get involved.
Hi Rico, and all. Yes, Donnarumma was the difference in those two games and, yes their CL campaign was less than convincing. They are powered by a nation state and have an impressive coach and team (tho’ I read there are doubts about Hakimi’s fitness), but I fancy us. Our boys have come through a hugely demanding season, they are battle hardened. PSG have walked their league but plonk them in the EPL and I don’t think they’d get top four.
I’d have loved to see a fit Timber up against Kvaratskhelia, but that may be a bridge to far for the Dutchman. I don’t think Zubi is quick enough to fill in at right back, so likely Mosquera. But what of the other roles? Kai or Gyo, MO8 or Eze, Cala or Piero, Leo or Gabby? Big choices for Mikel. Lord, give him wisdom.