Epl Thread
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killinghall
New member
Despite what the media says about Arsenal not playing free-flowing football and having a tough time penetrating the Villareal defence, I beg to differ.
I thought we had a darn excellent game with plenty of chances. Most importantly we smothered their attack. i could count no more than 2-3 incidents where Villareal actually got the ball into the box dangerously.
Villareal needs 2 goals at home to qualify for the finals. I believe our defence can stop them getting these goals they need. And don't forget, WE CAN SCORE.
Something tells me there'll be a reason to celebrate come May!
I thought we had a darn excellent game with plenty of chances. Most importantly we smothered their attack. i could count no more than 2-3 incidents where Villareal actually got the ball into the box dangerously.
Villareal needs 2 goals at home to qualify for the finals. I believe our defence can stop them getting these goals they need. And don't forget, WE CAN SCORE.
Something tells me there'll be a reason to celebrate come May!
fgl
Well-known member
Group Stage Date V Opponent F A
Wed Sep 14 H FC Thun 2 1
Tue Sep 27 A Ajax 2 1
Tue Oct 18 A Sparta Prague 2 0
Wed Nov 2 H Sparta Prague 3 0
Tue Nov 22 A FC Thun 1 0
Wed Dec 7 H Ajax 0 0
Quarter Final Date V Opponent F A
Tue Mar 28 H Juventus 2 0
Wed Apr 5 A Juventus 0 0
Semi Final Date V Opponent F A
Wed Apr 19 H Villarreal 1 0
Tue Apr 25 A Villarreal 7.45pm
First Knockout Stage Date V Opponent F A
Tue Feb 21 A Real Madrid 1 0
Wed Mar 8 H Real Madrid 0 0
Final Date V Opponent F A
Wed May 17 N Final 7.45pm
Group B Team P W D L F A GD Pts
Arsenal 6 5 1 0 10 2 8 16
Ajax 6 3 2 1 10 6 4 11
FC Thun 6 1 1 4 4 9 -5 4
Sparta Prague 6 0 2 4 2 9 -7
last team to score against AFC was Ajax on 27 Sep - thats a long run... 8)
Wed Sep 14 H FC Thun 2 1
Tue Sep 27 A Ajax 2 1
Tue Oct 18 A Sparta Prague 2 0
Wed Nov 2 H Sparta Prague 3 0
Tue Nov 22 A FC Thun 1 0
Wed Dec 7 H Ajax 0 0
Quarter Final Date V Opponent F A
Tue Mar 28 H Juventus 2 0
Wed Apr 5 A Juventus 0 0
Semi Final Date V Opponent F A
Wed Apr 19 H Villarreal 1 0
Tue Apr 25 A Villarreal 7.45pm
First Knockout Stage Date V Opponent F A
Tue Feb 21 A Real Madrid 1 0
Wed Mar 8 H Real Madrid 0 0
Final Date V Opponent F A
Wed May 17 N Final 7.45pm
Group B Team P W D L F A GD Pts
Arsenal 6 5 1 0 10 2 8 16
Ajax 6 3 2 1 10 6 4 11
FC Thun 6 1 1 4 4 9 -5 4
Sparta Prague 6 0 2 4 2 9 -7
last team to score against AFC was Ajax on 27 Sep - thats a long run... 8)
thor666
New member
As a non-supporter, I'm more disappointed with Villareal's diving and complaining attitude. No surprises why the referee ruled mostly in Arsenal's favour; he did seem very pissed off with the way Villareal players went down, clutched their leg in mock pain, after being touched by Arsenal players. And still proceeded to play on after that.
khai_stereotype
New member
AFC really dominated the game.
Yup they should have got the other 2 goals.
anyway,
kudos to villareal's defence tactics.
i found it hard for AFC to get that little crack in their defence. but nonetheless, vintage performance by AFC.
btw, Bro DARKNESS FURY: YEA, WHAT CHANCE? :lol:
Yup they should have got the other 2 goals.
anyway,
kudos to villareal's defence tactics.
i found it hard for AFC to get that little crack in their defence. but nonetheless, vintage performance by AFC.
btw, Bro DARKNESS FURY: YEA, WHAT CHANCE? :lol:
unsane
Member
Interview with Martin Jol on tomorrow's london derby..
"Jol - 'Tottenham deserve to finish fourth'"
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=365433&cc=4716
the most noteworthy part of the interview however comes at the end..
football quote of the year, bar none. i just about shit myself laughing...
"Jol - 'Tottenham deserve to finish fourth'"
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=365433&cc=4716
the most noteworthy part of the interview however comes at the end..
football quote of the year, bar none. i just about shit myself laughing...
DarknessFury
New member
Haha, I just remembered the squirrel from the New Paper...so cute...lol
fgl
Well-known member
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Saturday, April 22, 2006, 12.45pm
Arsenal-
Tottenham Hotspur-
By Richard Clarke
Somehow you always knew that Champions League qualification would come down to this game — the last north London derby ever to be staged at Highbury.
The battle for the fourth and final place at Europe’s top table has been building up to this point for most of the season. Tottenham have been above Arsenal in the Premiership table since Arsène Wenger’s side went down 2-0 to Bolton on December 3. But, in recent weeks, Arsenal have combined eye-catching Champions League advancement with the gradual reeling in of their neighbour's advantage in the Premiership table.
Currently Arsenal are four points behind with a game in hand. A home victory would leave Wenger’s men in total control for the first time this year. Two wins and draw from their final three Premiership games would secure them fourth spot thanks to a vastly superior goal difference.
Should Saturday’s game end level, Martin Jol’s would have to make a hefty hash of their final two matches - Bolton (h), West Ham (a) — to miss out on appearing in the Champions League for the first time.
“No, there was never a [derby] game with so much at stake for both teams,” said Wenger in his pre-match press conference. “This is our biggest game of the season in the Premiership.
“We've made big steps forward to come back on Spurs, by kicking out Real and Juventus in this season’s Champions League and then beating Villarreal at home. You want to combine both competitions and I feel that the team has done impressively well in recent weeks. We have a good morale, are in a good situation and confidence is high. We just want to win this game.”
Despite media reports to the contrary, Ashley Cole will not be returning to the side. Wenger said he would shuffle his squad with Tuesday’s Champion League Semi-Final in mind. Sol Campbell would be back for that game but not this one.
The man who took over his mantle at White Hart Lane, Ledley King, is out for the season. There are further doubts over Mido (groin), Edgar Davids (ankle), Anthony Gardner (shin) and Teemu Tainio (hamstring). But Wenger is respectful of those who are left.
“I think Michael Carrick had a good season because he has made a step forward in the national team,” said the Arsenal manager. “Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon and Ledley King had good seasons too. They have many players who have done very well.”
But, at the same time, the manager bristled at suggestions that, should Tottenham take fourth spot, it would indicate a power shift in north London.
"Your imagination is free for everybody,” he said, “And the Tottenham supporters can imagine what they want. But the reality is we've just knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus and have just beaten Villarreal in the Champions League.
“We have beaten so many records at this Club and recently we've had another one in the Champions League. There is still a lot to go but we want to do as well as we can. If we can combine to finish in the top four with the age of our team and continue to progress in the Champions League then I still feel that this team has turned the corner.
"Compare what people said three months ago about this team and the quality now — in Europe more than in England. When Arsenal plays Champions League games, people turn their TV. So I think it's a strange conclusion that, with the team just starting to rise, that the Club can be in decline.”
A victory on Saturday would more than hammer home that point.
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Saturday, April 22, 2006, 12.45pm
Arsenal-
Tottenham Hotspur-
By Richard Clarke
Somehow you always knew that Champions League qualification would come down to this game — the last north London derby ever to be staged at Highbury.
The battle for the fourth and final place at Europe’s top table has been building up to this point for most of the season. Tottenham have been above Arsenal in the Premiership table since Arsène Wenger’s side went down 2-0 to Bolton on December 3. But, in recent weeks, Arsenal have combined eye-catching Champions League advancement with the gradual reeling in of their neighbour's advantage in the Premiership table.
Currently Arsenal are four points behind with a game in hand. A home victory would leave Wenger’s men in total control for the first time this year. Two wins and draw from their final three Premiership games would secure them fourth spot thanks to a vastly superior goal difference.
Should Saturday’s game end level, Martin Jol’s would have to make a hefty hash of their final two matches - Bolton (h), West Ham (a) — to miss out on appearing in the Champions League for the first time.
“No, there was never a [derby] game with so much at stake for both teams,” said Wenger in his pre-match press conference. “This is our biggest game of the season in the Premiership.
“We've made big steps forward to come back on Spurs, by kicking out Real and Juventus in this season’s Champions League and then beating Villarreal at home. You want to combine both competitions and I feel that the team has done impressively well in recent weeks. We have a good morale, are in a good situation and confidence is high. We just want to win this game.”
Despite media reports to the contrary, Ashley Cole will not be returning to the side. Wenger said he would shuffle his squad with Tuesday’s Champion League Semi-Final in mind. Sol Campbell would be back for that game but not this one.
The man who took over his mantle at White Hart Lane, Ledley King, is out for the season. There are further doubts over Mido (groin), Edgar Davids (ankle), Anthony Gardner (shin) and Teemu Tainio (hamstring). But Wenger is respectful of those who are left.
“I think Michael Carrick had a good season because he has made a step forward in the national team,” said the Arsenal manager. “Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon and Ledley King had good seasons too. They have many players who have done very well.”
But, at the same time, the manager bristled at suggestions that, should Tottenham take fourth spot, it would indicate a power shift in north London.
"Your imagination is free for everybody,” he said, “And the Tottenham supporters can imagine what they want. But the reality is we've just knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus and have just beaten Villarreal in the Champions League.
“We have beaten so many records at this Club and recently we've had another one in the Champions League. There is still a lot to go but we want to do as well as we can. If we can combine to finish in the top four with the age of our team and continue to progress in the Champions League then I still feel that this team has turned the corner.
"Compare what people said three months ago about this team and the quality now — in Europe more than in England. When Arsenal plays Champions League games, people turn their TV. So I think it's a strange conclusion that, with the team just starting to rise, that the Club can be in decline.”
A victory on Saturday would more than hammer home that point.
Parameswara
New member
Gunners-1,Spurs-1
really thought gunners could win.
nevertheless,gunners will still 4th this season
really thought gunners could win.
nevertheless,gunners will still 4th this season
DarknessFury
New member
Hoho, unless Tottenham loses their last 2 matches...if not, ARSEnal can't do a damn thing about it...but well, they could sure piss their neighbours if they win the Champo League...
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