THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
fgl
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Arsenal
−
Aston Villa
By Richard Clarke
“Apart from the fact that we won two games, not a lot has changed,” smiled Arsène Wenger midway through his press conference on Friday.
It was a massive understatement given his thunderous mood seven days earlier.
Then the Arsenal manager felt aggrieved after the Stoke defeat and besieged ahead of another expected reverse against Manchester United.
It was perceived that Wenger’s season may crumble under the weight of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and, from the rubble, the first serious doubts about the Frenchman’s 12-year tenure may emerge.
A week later and suddenly it appears Arsenal’s present and future are assured. The 2-1 win over Manchester United puts them right back in the title picture and a 3-0 drubbing of Wigan by the Young Guns suggests the Carling Cup is still the best finishing school in English football.
Of course, neither reaction is entirely right. Arsenal weren’t no-hopers last week and are not champions-elect this.
You only have to think back to the last time they went to Emirates Stadium on the back of a superb Carling Cup result for evidence.
Don’t remember? Let me remind you.
The visitors were Hull.
Wenger is well aware his side have been consistently inconsistent this season. And their mentality is sure to be examined by fifth-place Villa on Saturday.
“It’s a massive game for us,” said the 59-year-old. “A big test after the Man United game and the midweek game against Wigan because we have built up belief again and we want to develop from there.
“This game will give us a big answer about that. We have to maintain the commitment, the heat we put up and of course play even better.
“Villa are physically strong and technically efficient. They have a lot of pace and are really quick to adjust their style. They can play straight in the air or on the ground. So they have a variation of weapons that can be dangerous for their opponent.
“Also they have 20 points at the moment, only three behind us, so they are right there.”
Manuel Almunia (head) and Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) are included in the squad after recovering from injury. But Robin van Persie (suspended) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) are missing.
Villa have lost their last two games and Hull their last three. That dip has seen the so-called Big Four become the top four. Wenger argues Martin O’Neill’s side are the most likely to break into that quartet but he is aware of other invaders too.
“You have Tottenham coming back, you have Man City who have a big potential and then there is Newcastle maybe,” he said. “Then you have Hull who have broken in but how will they respond to defeat? But they have that potential too.
“It is very, very open. I do not say that to please people, I really believe that in the Premier League. From the experience I have, this year every single game is a battle and difficult to win – no matter where you play. For example teams like Everton will still come back to fight and to break in.
“I feel it is tougher than ever this year but it is as well more interesting. It looks as though everybody can drop points and, in our situation, that is very interesting.”
And how does he reflect on a highly ‘interesting’ seven days?
“Well,” he replied. “Of course, I am happy when I win and not happy when we lose. But I have the same belief last week as this week. I know that the game against Man United could have gone both ways. That's the game.
“But there is only ever one answer and that is quality. I can talk in the press conference but what speaks the best for our Club is the performance of the team on the pitch and to win the big games.”
That’s why, while Man United was massive, its significance can only be compounded by victory over Villa.
fgl
Well-known member
well,no one can be as garang as Eric cantona...
.
with kung fu moves like that, he wud have been perfect for VICKOMANIAC (or vice vesa)
fgl
Well-known member
henryvelge
New member
arsenal what happened?! i dont understand why wenger keeps playing bendter.. vela is so much better.
doggieshaman
New member
yesterday was a painful day...
I have this radical thought, why not sell the entire first team and promote THAT carling cup team that seems to play better.
sigh.
I have this radical thought, why not sell the entire first team and promote THAT carling cup team that seems to play better.
sigh.
metalhead1993
New member
omg wenger should just drop the whole first team and play his carling cup XI la, to teach those ego senior team members a lesson.
doggieshaman
New member
I FRIGGIN AGREE.
ESPECIALLY GALLAS AND SILVESTRE. OMG.
France is SOOOO screwed if Domenech thinks he can rely on our defence that can't contain Hull city or Stoke
ESPECIALLY GALLAS AND SILVESTRE. OMG.
France is SOOOO screwed if Domenech thinks he can rely on our defence that can't contain Hull city or Stoke
metalhead1993
New member
OMG YES! dude the 2nd goal.... wtf you calling that defending my dear captain?! How can a young punk like abalonghor or whatever you spell his name out muscle a veteran like gallas!?! SCREW BPL LA!
doggieshaman
New member
i hope:
1) gaydamak sells defoe and et cetera to piss tony adams off
2) wenger sees the light and gives adams a coaching role
3) adams shows wenger who to REALLY buy
or maybe rio ferdinand decides he wants to move to arsenal
1) gaydamak sells defoe and et cetera to piss tony adams off
2) wenger sees the light and gives adams a coaching role
3) adams shows wenger who to REALLY buy
or maybe rio ferdinand decides he wants to move to arsenal
fgl
Well-known member
loldude333
New member
Rio? Hah he's been cr@p at Man U too.............u sure u want him? We at Liverpool will give u an early christmas present, all wrapped in red, for free! 1 Sami Hyypia, with authentic creaks in his joints, the speed of a rocking horse and a 2 year guarantee that he'll retire in 2 years. How?
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