Morning all.
Three more sleeps before the big day and already the nerves are creeping in. Although maybe it’s just excitement because boy am I excited.
Vincent Kompany spoke after seeing his team beaten by the reigning Champions and raised a few concerns over the way the game was officiated:
We have to look at some of the phases that were decided by the officials across the two games. It’s never an excuse, but it matters. If you look at both legs, probably too much went against us. But the guys gave everything. We tried against a fantastic PSG team.
If you look at both penalties [the one given against Alphonso Davies last week and the one not given against Joao Neves tonight] it’s ridiculous. A little bit of common sense… whatever needs to happen. It’s a one-goal game in the end. Then there’s the [potential] second yellow card [for Nuno Mendes] in the first half. I thought he was giving it and I felt he pulled out because he realised he’d already given him a yellow and he didn’t want to send him off, so he turned it round and gave PSG a free-kick.
As said yesterday, isn’t that every football fans concerns going into a game these days? It’s certainly what I fear ahead of our game. Arsenal players will need to be smart in all areas of the pitch but especially in both boxes.
European football doesn’t seem to care about how the ball hits a defenders arm, it’s handball full stop. Pushing and shoving in the box isn’t generally accepted either which isn’t a bad thing, as long as both sides are treated the same.
I thought I’d take a look at the stats from both PSG semifinal fixture because I know everyone loves stats. lol
The first leg in France:
Possession = 41% v 59%
Shots off target = 7 v 4
Shots on target = 4 v 5
Corners = 2 v 5
Fouls: 14 v 2
The second leg in Germany:
Possession = 66% v 34%
Shots off target = 12 v 8
Shots on target = 6 v 7
Corners = 1 v 8
Fouls = 8 v 12
Yesterday I watched highlights of both legs between PSG and Bayern and whilst Kompany might have a point with decisions which went against his side, their first penalty in France should never have stood in my opinion. Mind you, in England, PSG wouldn’t have been awarded a penalty either because Dembele smashed the ball into the Bayern player from close range and the ball whipped up and hit is arm. But as said, these are things Arsenal players need to be aware of and I’m sure they will be.
As good as PSG are, the stats above suggest they present goal scoring opportunities to opponents and I just hope that on Saturday, the Arsenal stars are aligned and instead of our own chances going high or wide, they hit the back of the net. The big Russian keeper who played in both legs of the semifinal, well he’s no Donnarumma that’s for sure.
Up the other end, we just need to stop Kvaratskhelia and Dembele. Easy eh…
Catch up in the comments.
This is beautiful……
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/is3qYcetKUY
Good Morning Rico and all
Lovely post. It doesn’t settle the nerves though. I get that before every game. Once the whistle goes I just concentrate on what I am seeing unfold.
Would I love the CL?? Yes. but not for obvious reasons. I always wanted and will always want to win the EPL which imo is superior to the CL because it is played over 38 games home and away. CL is played only on 15 games. So while it seems more prestigious, the EPL title is worth more for me.
I only want us to win the CL simply because it will be nice to ram it down the throats of haters and those who keep on banging the drum that we have never won it. I can assure you that if we are nervy before the game, think about those lot who keep on saying we never won it. They will be more nervy than us because they know if we win it we are goijng to rammmmmm itttt down their ugly mug till it emerges from shit creek. They are more afraid that we will win it then we are afraid of losing it. You heard it here first.
2ndly and most importantly, I hope we win it for Pa. Yes he has been gone for two years now, but it was the trophy he always wanted us to win. You can bet your bottom penny that it will be two chairs in front of the TV, one for me and one for Pa’s/gramp’s picture on the other one beside me.
Mikel Arteta has been crowned as the EPL Manager of the season.
Morning Devil, all.
PL for me too but now we’re in the CL, I so want to see us win it.
I agree Rico, now we are in it I want to win it as well. However imo the EPL carries more weight and is the higher honour. Give me another unbeaten season, winning the EPL 5 years in a row. Those are the ultimate achievements for me.
I also hate losing even the Carabeo and love winning the FA Cup, however the ultimate prize for me is the EPL. especially if its unbeaten.
I’m not so fussed about the league cup but FA Cup I love.
The transfer talk is up and running.
Morgan Rogers is linked to us..
Just read that about Rogers as well. I think that if he comes it means that one of Trossard or Martinelli will be leaving. I think it will be the latter because he will fetch more money. Plus Trossard seemed to be preferred more last season.
Did you watch the YouTube clip I sent Rico??
It seems that various English players are being linked to us. Rogers and Alex Scott are both English.
I am in favour of it because imo it will mean less travel for our players who are involved in internationals, higher amount of players in the English homegrown quota plus they will be training together whole year all the time.
Whether or not Bournemouth and Villa are willing to sell is another matter.
I’ve a feeling Martinelli could be departing too Devil, something about his comments on Sunday sounded like he could go.
Money talks though and if players want to move, nine times out of ten they do.
i haven’t watched it yet..
yes i agree. they felt more like a good bye.
The YouTube clip is good albeit it runs a bit too fast 😂
G’day Rico, Devil. I’m completely relaxed about Saturday’s game, I’m fairly sure P S G will be getting a little anxious, trying to work out Arteta’s tactics which have subtly changed over recent games.
Congratulations to Mikel the Master on winning manager of the season. 🏆 No longer Guardiola”s apprentice. 😉
A double page spread in this morning’s Telegraph on Declan Rice highlighting his importance to the team both on and off the field.
Afternoon Cicero, I’m so pleased for Arteta. Mind you, how could he not win it. I’m amazed that Fernandes was voted player of the season though. Ridiculous decision imo.