Epl Thread
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
- Status
fgl
Well-known member
Henry - Premiership pace needed for Villarreal
Arsenal v Villarreal
Champions League S/F Leg 1
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Wed, Apr 19, 2006, 7.45pm
By Richard Clarke
Thierry Henry has urged his Arsenal side to treat Wednesday's Champions League Semi-Final first leg like a Premiership match.
Surprise Spanish side Villarreal visit Highbury this week in the opening rubber with the return game next Tuesday at El Madrigal.
For the first time in this year's knockout rounds, Arsène Wenger's side will be favourites. They dispensed with Real Madrid and Juventus thanks to high-tempo tactics. They basically out-ran and out-passed their older opponents. Henry believes another 180 minutes at Premiership pace could put Arsenal in the Final for the first time in their history.
"What we need to do is defend well as a team and as soon as we can, go and attack," said Henry.
"We need to do it like we do in the Premier League — that is one thing which surprised Juve. They are not used to a team having a go at them all the time, going behind their defence, or putting a high pace into the game. That is what we will have to try to do."
Henry has already done his homework on Villarreal — and their dangerman.
"They are a good team, play good football — and if you let them play, they can really hurt you," he said. "They are a bit like us in a way, with the way that we are playing in the Champions League.
"They base their game on being tight together and, after making sure, they can hit you on the break.
"With a guy like Juan Ramon Riquelme, it is difficult to think about man-marking him — we do not do that anyway.
"He is a guy who can pass wherever he wants and also has the ability to do whatever he wants on the ball.
"They are well-organised and we know it is going to be an important game."
Arsenal v Villarreal
Champions League S/F Leg 1
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Wed, Apr 19, 2006, 7.45pm
By Richard Clarke
Thierry Henry has urged his Arsenal side to treat Wednesday's Champions League Semi-Final first leg like a Premiership match.
Surprise Spanish side Villarreal visit Highbury this week in the opening rubber with the return game next Tuesday at El Madrigal.
For the first time in this year's knockout rounds, Arsène Wenger's side will be favourites. They dispensed with Real Madrid and Juventus thanks to high-tempo tactics. They basically out-ran and out-passed their older opponents. Henry believes another 180 minutes at Premiership pace could put Arsenal in the Final for the first time in their history.
"What we need to do is defend well as a team and as soon as we can, go and attack," said Henry.
"We need to do it like we do in the Premier League — that is one thing which surprised Juve. They are not used to a team having a go at them all the time, going behind their defence, or putting a high pace into the game. That is what we will have to try to do."
Henry has already done his homework on Villarreal — and their dangerman.
"They are a good team, play good football — and if you let them play, they can really hurt you," he said. "They are a bit like us in a way, with the way that we are playing in the Champions League.
"They base their game on being tight together and, after making sure, they can hit you on the break.
"With a guy like Juan Ramon Riquelme, it is difficult to think about man-marking him — we do not do that anyway.
"He is a guy who can pass wherever he wants and also has the ability to do whatever he wants on the ball.
"They are well-organised and we know it is going to be an important game."
snuffleupagus
New member
i was cheering for man utd yesterday.
AHAHAH
AHAHAH
fgl
Well-known member
Henry demands 100% focus on Villarreal
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has urged his side to focus fully on the job in hand when they aim to take a step closer to the Champions League final against Villarreal on Wednesday night.
The Gunners head into the last-four tie on the back of a determined Premiership victory over West Brom at Highbury on Saturday, which kept them on the coattails of north-London neighbours Tottenham.
However, this week once more presents a stern challenge for Arsene Wenger's emerging side as they seek to emulate the displays which have already sent the likes of Real Madrid and Serie A leaders Juventus out of Europe's elite club competition.
Henry knows it will take another collective effort to get past the Spaniards.
'Obviously everyone is talking about the race for fourth spot - but we are going to have to put that aside [for this match] and try to concentrate on the Champions League,' the Arsenal skipper said.
'It is going to be a massive game.'
Henry declared: 'What we need to do is defend well as a team and as soon as we can, go and attack.
'We need to do it like we do it in the Premier League - that is one thing which did surprise Juve. They are not used to a team having a go at them all the time, going behind their defence, or putting a high pace into the game.
'That is what we will have to try to do.'
Villarreal have impressed on their debut season in the Champions League, having knocked Everton out of the qualifiers and then coming through the group stages ahead of Manchester United.
Currently eighth in the Spanish league, Villarreal were beaten 1-0 at Barcelona on Friday, albeit with a much-changed side as coach Manuel Pellegrini kept one eye on their trip to London.
There will have to be something of a make-shift defence, however, after Argentina centre-half Gonzalo Rodriguez suffered ankle ligament damage and will be out for the season, while Juan Manuel Pena picked up a knee problem.
However, the Spanish challenge will not be underestimated.
Henry observed: 'They are a bit like us in a way, with the way that we are playing in the Champions League.
'They are well organised, and base their game on being tight together then making sure they can hit you on the break.'
The Arsenal captain added: 'They are a good team, play good football - and if you let them play, they can really hurt you.'
Wenger has maintained there will be no special ploy to try to limit the impact of Argentina playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.
It was a sentiment echoed by the Gunners skipper.
'With a guy like Riquelme, it is difficult to think about man-marking him - we do not do that anyway,' Henry, 28, said.
'He is a guy who can pass wherever he wants and also has the ability to do whatever he wants on the ball.'
Henry only played just over an hour against the Baggies on Saturday, a move with Wenger hopes will keep his talisman striker 'fresh' for Wednesday night.
Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is expected to return to the squad, while young midfielder Cesc Fabregas - so influential against both Real Madrid and Juventus - is battling to shake off a foot problem which has kept him out of the Gunners' last two games.
Veteran England centre-back Sol Campbell, meanwhile, is a major doubt having just undergone surgery on a broken nose, and is more likely to feature again at the weekend.
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has urged his side to focus fully on the job in hand when they aim to take a step closer to the Champions League final against Villarreal on Wednesday night.
The Gunners head into the last-four tie on the back of a determined Premiership victory over West Brom at Highbury on Saturday, which kept them on the coattails of north-London neighbours Tottenham.
However, this week once more presents a stern challenge for Arsene Wenger's emerging side as they seek to emulate the displays which have already sent the likes of Real Madrid and Serie A leaders Juventus out of Europe's elite club competition.
Henry knows it will take another collective effort to get past the Spaniards.
'Obviously everyone is talking about the race for fourth spot - but we are going to have to put that aside [for this match] and try to concentrate on the Champions League,' the Arsenal skipper said.
'It is going to be a massive game.'
Henry declared: 'What we need to do is defend well as a team and as soon as we can, go and attack.
'We need to do it like we do it in the Premier League - that is one thing which did surprise Juve. They are not used to a team having a go at them all the time, going behind their defence, or putting a high pace into the game.
'That is what we will have to try to do.'
Villarreal have impressed on their debut season in the Champions League, having knocked Everton out of the qualifiers and then coming through the group stages ahead of Manchester United.
Currently eighth in the Spanish league, Villarreal were beaten 1-0 at Barcelona on Friday, albeit with a much-changed side as coach Manuel Pellegrini kept one eye on their trip to London.
There will have to be something of a make-shift defence, however, after Argentina centre-half Gonzalo Rodriguez suffered ankle ligament damage and will be out for the season, while Juan Manuel Pena picked up a knee problem.
However, the Spanish challenge will not be underestimated.
Henry observed: 'They are a bit like us in a way, with the way that we are playing in the Champions League.
'They are well organised, and base their game on being tight together then making sure they can hit you on the break.'
The Arsenal captain added: 'They are a good team, play good football - and if you let them play, they can really hurt you.'
Wenger has maintained there will be no special ploy to try to limit the impact of Argentina playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.
It was a sentiment echoed by the Gunners skipper.
'With a guy like Riquelme, it is difficult to think about man-marking him - we do not do that anyway,' Henry, 28, said.
'He is a guy who can pass wherever he wants and also has the ability to do whatever he wants on the ball.'
Henry only played just over an hour against the Baggies on Saturday, a move with Wenger hopes will keep his talisman striker 'fresh' for Wednesday night.
Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is expected to return to the squad, while young midfielder Cesc Fabregas - so influential against both Real Madrid and Juventus - is battling to shake off a foot problem which has kept him out of the Gunners' last two games.
Veteran England centre-back Sol Campbell, meanwhile, is a major doubt having just undergone surgery on a broken nose, and is more likely to feature again at the weekend.
DarknessFury
New member
ARSEnal haven't even played Villareal yet...geez...
i'm kinda new to this forums.
and i'm surprised to find a soccer thread! and ARSENAL somemore. Woohoo to arsenal.
Villareal is so going to lose, or at least i hope so. how unfortunate for them to have a hole in their defence now. plus diego forlan can't get past senderos and toure.
arsenal will win.
and i'm surprised to find a soccer thread! and ARSENAL somemore. Woohoo to arsenal.
Villareal is so going to lose, or at least i hope so. how unfortunate for them to have a hole in their defence now. plus diego forlan can't get past senderos and toure.
arsenal will win.
khai_stereotype
New member
I'm up for arsenal all the way.
but nonetheless, Kudos to villareal for making it to the semis. they are quite tight. but i sure do pray arsenal get pass them with more goals tonite.
but nonetheless, Kudos to villareal for making it to the semis. they are quite tight. but i sure do pray arsenal get pass them with more goals tonite.
Indigo_blues
New member
hope febregas has recovered..
khai_stereotype
New member
prediction for me ars 2 villa 0
fgl
Well-known member
ARSENAL 1 villareal o!
Champions League S/F Leg 1
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 7.45pm
Arsenal1Toure 41
Villarreal0
By Richard Clarke
Perhaps it was fitting that the final European game at Highbury should end with Arsenal’s most familiar scoreline.
This particular 1-0 represents a handy lead to take to Villarreal for the Champions League Semi-Final second leg next Tuesday but, make no mistake, the Yellow Submarine are still afloat.
Kolo Toure stabbed home the only goal from Alexander Hleb’s cross four minutes from the break. Arsenal were good value for their lead without ever touching the heights of the 2-0 victory over Juve late last month.
Yellow-shirted Villarreal, nicknamed after a Beatles’ song, lived up to the compact, organised reputation. But this game represented a hard day’s night for them.
A nervous night is guaranteed at E Madrigal next week.
Arsène Wenger opted to stick with the formation that had seen him through the Knockout Round and Quarter-Final. He pushed Robert Pires into the centre of midfield alongside Gilberto and the fit-again Cesc Fabregas, deployed two wide men to bomb forward and left Thierry Henry up front on his own. It was a 4-3-3 when Arsenal had the ball but a 4-5-1 when they did not.
Villarreal were lacking both first-choice centre backs - Juan Pena and Gonzalo Rodriguez — but had reached this stage through commitment and hard work rather than star names. Arsenal would underestimate the visitors at their peril.
This was the last European night at Highbury and perhaps the last time the floodlights would be used for a competitive game. But in truth these were mere baubles of ‘specialness’. This was the Champions League Semi-Final and Europe’s top prize was almost within grasp — no other credentials were needed.
Arsenal were up-and-at-’em from the start. In the fourth minute, Cesar Arzo fouled Flamini on the left, Henry swung over the free-kick and Toure’s swivelling shot squirmed through a crowded area but whistled wide of the upright.
In the seventh minute the same supplier sent a corner to the far post and Gilberto’s header bounced beyond narrowly wide. When, in the 10th minute, Philippe Senderos nodded a Fabregas corner inches over the bar you sensed it would be a matter of time until the home side scored.
And then they did. Unfortunately when Henry planted the ball home from Pires’ pass, the assistant referee had flagged for offside. It was a marginal decision and replays suggested it may have been incorrect. Alexander Hleb was offside but not interfering with play; Henry was definitely onside.
Villarreal began to find their feet after the ‘goal’ and midway through the half they tested Jens Lehmann for the first time. The German No 1 held on to Juan Ramon Riquelme’s 25-yard free-kick at the second attempt.
Pires fired wide soon afterwards but the Spanish side were increasingly looking confident.
Despite that, Arsenal should have taken the lead just past the half-hour. Henry’s raking left-wing cross was deflected into the path of Pires 12 yards out but Arzo raced in to flick the ball behind. A melee ensued from the corner with Ljungberg, Senderos and, finally, Gilberto all seeing efforts smothered by defenders.
Almost Arsenal immediately had a scare at the other end when Lehmann got only half a hand to Diego Forlan’s cross and the ball rolled across the vacant penalty area before Toure could mop up.
Henry fired a couple of dangerous crosses into the Villarreal area in the build up to half time. The second, in the 41st minute, won a corner. It was returned to Henry on the left and he sent Hleb in to space down the channel. The Belarus international looked up and chose his target. The cross was touched home by Toure at the near post. Highbury went wild.
Seconds before the break, another long-range Riquelme free-kick forced Lehman to punch clear off his own goalline. As Arsenal tried to clear their lines, Villarreal claimed a penalty when Gilberto tangled with Jose Mari.
Alessio Tacchinardi and Gilberto swapped long-range efforts at the start of the second half. Then Juan Pablo Sorin flicked on a corner and Toure scooped the ball away from virtually under his own crossbar.
But, in general, Arsenal had the upper hand. You sensed they wanted a second but were extra wary of allowing Villarreal an away goal.
In the 56 minute when Emmanuel Eboue worked himself a wonderful position on the right flank and fired low across the area. Henry stabbed in a shot. It arched slowly towards goal allowing Arzo to nodded the ball off the line.
In the 67th minute, Marcos Senna forced Lehmann to save at full stretch but, in truth, optimistic efforts from distance were as much as Villarreal could muster at this stage. If a second goal was coming it was coming Arsenal’s way.
Hleb and Ljungberg were replaced by Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie with 10 minutes left. In the dying seconds of normal time, the older Dutchman floated a ball across the Villarreal defence and Gilberto took flight. The Brazilian just failed to connect with his header. It was the final chance to take a more decisive step towards the Final.
Nevertheless, a 1-0 advantage represents a good night’s work for Arsenal.
..... are you watching spurs...?
Champions League S/F Leg 1
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 7.45pm
Arsenal1Toure 41
Villarreal0
By Richard Clarke
Perhaps it was fitting that the final European game at Highbury should end with Arsenal’s most familiar scoreline.
This particular 1-0 represents a handy lead to take to Villarreal for the Champions League Semi-Final second leg next Tuesday but, make no mistake, the Yellow Submarine are still afloat.
Kolo Toure stabbed home the only goal from Alexander Hleb’s cross four minutes from the break. Arsenal were good value for their lead without ever touching the heights of the 2-0 victory over Juve late last month.
Yellow-shirted Villarreal, nicknamed after a Beatles’ song, lived up to the compact, organised reputation. But this game represented a hard day’s night for them.
A nervous night is guaranteed at E Madrigal next week.
Arsène Wenger opted to stick with the formation that had seen him through the Knockout Round and Quarter-Final. He pushed Robert Pires into the centre of midfield alongside Gilberto and the fit-again Cesc Fabregas, deployed two wide men to bomb forward and left Thierry Henry up front on his own. It was a 4-3-3 when Arsenal had the ball but a 4-5-1 when they did not.
Villarreal were lacking both first-choice centre backs - Juan Pena and Gonzalo Rodriguez — but had reached this stage through commitment and hard work rather than star names. Arsenal would underestimate the visitors at their peril.
This was the last European night at Highbury and perhaps the last time the floodlights would be used for a competitive game. But in truth these were mere baubles of ‘specialness’. This was the Champions League Semi-Final and Europe’s top prize was almost within grasp — no other credentials were needed.
Arsenal were up-and-at-’em from the start. In the fourth minute, Cesar Arzo fouled Flamini on the left, Henry swung over the free-kick and Toure’s swivelling shot squirmed through a crowded area but whistled wide of the upright.
In the seventh minute the same supplier sent a corner to the far post and Gilberto’s header bounced beyond narrowly wide. When, in the 10th minute, Philippe Senderos nodded a Fabregas corner inches over the bar you sensed it would be a matter of time until the home side scored.
And then they did. Unfortunately when Henry planted the ball home from Pires’ pass, the assistant referee had flagged for offside. It was a marginal decision and replays suggested it may have been incorrect. Alexander Hleb was offside but not interfering with play; Henry was definitely onside.
Villarreal began to find their feet after the ‘goal’ and midway through the half they tested Jens Lehmann for the first time. The German No 1 held on to Juan Ramon Riquelme’s 25-yard free-kick at the second attempt.
Pires fired wide soon afterwards but the Spanish side were increasingly looking confident.
Despite that, Arsenal should have taken the lead just past the half-hour. Henry’s raking left-wing cross was deflected into the path of Pires 12 yards out but Arzo raced in to flick the ball behind. A melee ensued from the corner with Ljungberg, Senderos and, finally, Gilberto all seeing efforts smothered by defenders.
Almost Arsenal immediately had a scare at the other end when Lehmann got only half a hand to Diego Forlan’s cross and the ball rolled across the vacant penalty area before Toure could mop up.
Henry fired a couple of dangerous crosses into the Villarreal area in the build up to half time. The second, in the 41st minute, won a corner. It was returned to Henry on the left and he sent Hleb in to space down the channel. The Belarus international looked up and chose his target. The cross was touched home by Toure at the near post. Highbury went wild.
Seconds before the break, another long-range Riquelme free-kick forced Lehman to punch clear off his own goalline. As Arsenal tried to clear their lines, Villarreal claimed a penalty when Gilberto tangled with Jose Mari.
Alessio Tacchinardi and Gilberto swapped long-range efforts at the start of the second half. Then Juan Pablo Sorin flicked on a corner and Toure scooped the ball away from virtually under his own crossbar.
But, in general, Arsenal had the upper hand. You sensed they wanted a second but were extra wary of allowing Villarreal an away goal.
In the 56 minute when Emmanuel Eboue worked himself a wonderful position on the right flank and fired low across the area. Henry stabbed in a shot. It arched slowly towards goal allowing Arzo to nodded the ball off the line.
In the 67th minute, Marcos Senna forced Lehmann to save at full stretch but, in truth, optimistic efforts from distance were as much as Villarreal could muster at this stage. If a second goal was coming it was coming Arsenal’s way.
Hleb and Ljungberg were replaced by Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie with 10 minutes left. In the dying seconds of normal time, the older Dutchman floated a ball across the Villarreal defence and Gilberto took flight. The Brazilian just failed to connect with his header. It was the final chance to take a more decisive step towards the Final.
Nevertheless, a 1-0 advantage represents a good night’s work for Arsenal.
..... are you watching spurs...?
DarknessFury
New member
Tsk tsk...Villareal didn't take the chance that their playing away...
- Status