fgl
Well-known member
i say bro - more like an old devil still on Alex's payroll .... :twisted:
THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
i say bro - more like an old devil still on Alex's payroll .... :twisted:
fgl
Well-known member
to BE FAIR ...AFC will beat
1. pool
2. chelski (in FA cup & league & CL if we meet)
3. Man U (in league & CL if we meet)
fgl
Well-known member
Arsenal celebrate their penalty shoot-out win at Roma
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3122020/first-team/arsenal-v-villarreal
Wenger - The moment when my team grew up
Arsène Wenger has pinpointed the moment when his young squad 'grew up' this season.
The Frenchman put his faith in youth for the current campaign but his policy was criticised after five defeats in Arsenal's first 14 Premier League fixtures. However, Wenger's team have rallied since their slow start, are unbeaten in 18 top-flight games and have a live chance of glory in the Champions League and FA Cup.
Another precocious performance will be required when Arsenal host Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League Quarter-Final at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. Fortunately, Wenger has seen plenty of evidence that his 'boys' can do the job of men.
"When did they grow up? There are different moments," said the manager.
"After our defeat at Manchester City we went to Chelsea and won. We played 2-2, 0-0 at home and still got a lot of negative publicity but still kept going.
"There was another decisive factor in Rome; when you miss your first penalty and come up against Totti, Baptista, Montella and Vucinic still to take a penalty with Pizarro. You know, you are away from home against penalty specialists.
"You have only kids really to take your penalties but you still manage to win. You need some mental strength and I believe it was a turning point in the belief of the team."
tpiledriver
New member
Van Persie is still deadly man.. his first touch is top class..his freekicks and his long shots!
his build up for adebayor's goal, nice one!
fgl
Well-known member
Arsenal
0
Villarreal
- Walcott 10,
- Adebayor 60,
- Van Persie 69 (pen)
Arsenal fans are daring to dream.
Their side reached the Champions League Semi-Final for only the second time in their history on a wonderful Wednesday night at Emirates Stadium.
The tie was delicately poised at kick-off. Arsenal were in the driving seat having grabbed that useful 1-1 draw at Villarreal last week.
However the job was far from done.
And they went at the work with gusto tonight. Theo Walcott shovelled a shot over Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez in the 10th minute.
On the hour Emmanuel Adebayor steered home a crucial second and, nine minutes later, Robin van Persie rammed home from the spot after Walcott had been fouled in the area.
Sebastian Eguren received a second yellow card for protesting the penalty. It was a sad end to Villarreal’s involvement in this tie.
This had been 180 minutes of pure football played between two sides with a similar philosophy. However, right now, this Arsenal side are irresistible.
A season of desperate lows and fierce criticism could just end in historic fashion.
Wenger’s side now face the considerable mite of Manchester United in the Semi-Finals.
The main talking point in the press box when the team-sheet came out was the absence of Bacary Sagna. Apparently the right back had picked up a virus overnight so Emmanuel Eboue deputised.
It meant that only Kolo Toure was first-choice in the defensive five. Manuel Almunia (ankle), William Gallas (knee) and Gael Clichy (back) had hurt themselves in the first leg of this tie. Johan Djourou damaged his knee on Saturday.
Fit-again Mikael Silvestre was making his first start since January 3 and left back Kieran Gibbs had never been on from the start in a Champions League tie. Van Persie passed a fitness test on his groin to start up front alongside Adebayor.
Samir Nasri and Walcott were either side of Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas in midfield. Denilson dropped to the bench where he joined the returning Eduardo and Abou Diaby.
For their part, Villarreal had lost Santi Cazorla before the home tie and the influential Marcos Senna at the weekend. However, unlike last week, Manuel Pellegrini named Robert Pires in his starting line-up.
The former Arsenal midfielder was still applauding a richly-deserved ovation from the home fans when the game kicked off.
The pace had been relenting from the off at El Madrigal last week and it was exactly the same this evening.
Only this time both sides were at it.
Eight days ago Villarreal bossed the first half only for Arsenal to take over after the break. Tonight it was more level in the opening stages but the home side would take a 10th-minute lead.
Before that, Walcott’s low cross was missed by Gonzalo Rodriguez at the near post and Fabregas collected before clipping a cross to Van Persie who nodded over.
At the other end, Giuseppe Rossi’s deep free-kick was volleyed straight at Fabianski by Diego Godin at the far post.
Fabregas then reached the byline and cut the ball back to Adebayor who twisted into space but could not quite control the ball.
Both sides were full of pace and passing but Arsenal had the edge in both departments and would deserve their lead.
Fabregas touched on a right-wing pass from Eboue and Godin slipped to allow Walcott clear into the channel. It was one-on-one but the England winger still had options to his left.
He decided to go it alone and was proved right. He expertly scooped a shot over Diego Lopez and the ball seemed to hang for an eternity before dropping into the far side of the net.
Pires’ shot deflected dangerously wide in the 16th minute and Bruno had an effort blocked shortly afterwards.
Despite that Arsenal were still the better side. Adebayor saw a header clutched on the line by Lopez and then fell foul of the offside flag a couple of minutes later as Arsenal continued to create.
On the half-hour, they thought they had scored again. Mati Fernandez hauled down Fabregas just outside the Villarreal area and Van Persie’s fast, dipping free-kick was palmed out by Lopez at the far post.
Adebayor was quick to pounce and nodded the ball goalward, the backtracking Pires inadvertently chested it further towards the net only for Rodriguez to hack it off the line.
Arsenal claimed the goal but replays proved referee Wolfgang Stark had called correctly.
Fernandez planted a tame free-kick into the hands of Fabianski towards the interval but, in truth, another Arsenal goal seemed the more likely.
Adebayor nearly profited in the six-yard area after Van Persie had pressured Rodriguez into an error and then the Togolese striker failed to capitalise following fine work from Eboue and Walcott down the right.
But Villarreal were very much in the game and saved arguably their best chance of the half for injury time. Fernandez fired over a corner and Godin smuggled a header just over bar.
Both the crowd and the players needed the interval. It had been a breathless first half but it was Arsenal who had the crucial advantage.
All they had to hold on.
But, then, that is not the Arsenal way is it?
The start of the second half was more of the same. Villarreal were purposeful and precise but they were playing a passing game that Wenger’s has distilled to perfection at this Club down the years.
It was the Sorcerers versus the Apprentices.
On the hour, Van Persie pirouetted into space on the edge of the area and measured a pass to Adebayor on the left of the area. The striker prodded his shot past Lopez and into the far corner. It was his 16th goal of the season, his sixth in six Champions League starts this season and the cue for pandemonium at Emirates Stadium.
Four Arsenal players – Adebayor, Eboue, Silvestre and Song - danced by the corner flag. Even Arsène Wenger could not resist a jig on the touchline.
It was the crucial goal and afterwards Villarreal began to unravel.
Godin clipped Walcott close to the right-hand byline and the referee pointed to the spot. It was a soft spot-kick to concede and Eguren’s protests earned him a second yellow card plus a red for free.
Van Persie hammered the penalty home all the gusto and confidence displayed his team on the night.
Arsenal were in the Semi-Finals.
With that in mind, Wenger brought on Nicklas Bendtner and Diaby. The latter came closest to adding a fourth when he dragged his drive across the face of goal.
The home crowd were now in celebratory mood. As is tradition, Rocky Rocastle was remembered insong but so was Pires.
This was of course the farewell he had wanted after his last Arsenal appearance had seen him subbed in the Champions League Final of 2006.
Quite rightly he was afforded a hero’s farewell as he left the pitch.
Pires’s old side might just be heading back to the Final this year.
fgl
Well-known member
Robert Pires applauds the adoring Arsenal fans
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3122020/first-team/arsenal-v-villarreal Arsenal 3-0 Villarreal
UEFA Champions League
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 19:45
Pires - Those great fans did not forget me
Robert Pires was “touched and moved” by the ovation he received at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Frenchman was part of a Villarreal side well-beaten by Arsenal on the night but the Champions League tie also served as the “goodbye” the midfielder craved after ending a stellar six-year spell in north London in 2006.
He was cheered as he warmed up and, when walking off the pitch afterwards, Pires’ name rang around the stadium. It was clearly appreciated by former Gunner Pires.
“Personally, I wasn’t expecting such a warm and an amazing welcome from the Arsenal fans,” he said afterwards.
“It shows how great the Arsenal fans are and that they don’t forget their former players. I was really touched and moved by their ovation and the fact that they were singing my name.”
Pires had a decent first-half chance to level the match on the night - and the tie overall - but his shot deflected wide. However the 35-year-old believes Villarreal missed their opportunity last week in Spain.
And, despite the domination of English side, he says threat of the remaining La Liga side will be serious.
“We have some regrets from the first leg where we could have scored more goals and made a bigger difference,” said Pires.
“That’s where we missed the chance to go through. But tonight, Arsenal was too strong for us. Physically, we responded – something we didn’t do in the first leg - but they managed to score more than us.
“We have been saying for years now that the English League is the best in the world. They have their way of doing things and they always have [strong] results.
“England always have the same clubs in the last four of the Champions League which shows that the way they are playing football is, for me, the best but they should watch out for Barcelona.
“They are the only ones left that will try to break the English domination
wylde
New member
a great player will always be respected no matter where he goes..
and what the fans did is right.they did not forget that he played with his heart at arsenal and when it was time to go he went...if i were there,i would applaud him as well...
and of course..tomorrow we have the blues..*goose hiddink* and company will be knocked out..
tsk tsk..is this what the chelsea fans are teaching their kids??..shame on em.
TO ALL THE FANS...LOOK CAREFULLY AT THIS PICTURE...THIS IS WHAT THE FUTURE WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN WE GET THE FA CUP....HAHA
and what the fans did is right.they did not forget that he played with his heart at arsenal and when it was time to go he went...if i were there,i would applaud him as well...
and of course..tomorrow we have the blues..*goose hiddink* and company will be knocked out..
tsk tsk..is this what the chelsea fans are teaching their kids??..shame on em.
TO ALL THE FANS...LOOK CAREFULLY AT THIS PICTURE...THIS IS WHAT THE FUTURE WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN WE GET THE FA CUP....HAHA
Last edited:
fgl
Well-known member
hehe chelsea fans... Tsk tsk... The daddy does the hitler hail while the kid does the bird.
Anyways, i prefer to imagine this for the moment.
their very first champions league cup
i likes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fgl
Well-known member
How much would Arsène Wenger give NOT to be facing in-form Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the FA Cup Semi-Final on Saturday?
The Ivorian has long-been Arsenal’s nemesis and famously destroyed their Carling Cup Final dreams with a two-goal blitz at Cardiff in February 2007.
The 31-year-old averages nearly a goal a game against Wenger’s side and is bang in form having hit eight in his last 10 matches for Guus Hiddink’s resurgent Chelsea.
But Arsenal could have signed him for just £100,000.
That was at the start of Wenger’s reign in 1998 when Drogba was plying his trade in the French second division with Le Mans. A couple of short moves later, he was off to Stamford Bridge for £24 million.
“When he was in Le Mans we watched him carefully,” the Arsenal manager admitted at Friday’s press conference. “We felt he might not be completely ready. But his value was £100,000.
“All the French clubs watched him but nobody took him. It is a mistake but when you are in football everyone can understand it.
"At the time Drogba was not ready. Nothing put us off, we just said we have to follow his progress and suddenly he was in Guingamp. Then he wanted to stay in France and Marseille was the club of his dreams. I think it still is. We didn't miss him because we didn't want [him]. We had Thierry Henry at the time.”
Drogba is the archetypal late developer. He was a jobbing pro in the French League until his mid-20s before a stellar season at Marseilles enticed Jose Mourinho to make him one of his first signings at Stamford Bridge.
Wenger conceded that Drogba has metamorphasised as a big-game player and certainly he proved to be the difference between the sides in that Carling Cup Final and the Community Shield two years earlier.
“Drogba has always been a guy who raises with the challenges,” he said.
“He is a guy who has a complete focus for 90 minutes on trying to be efficient.
“You feel never in the game he drops in his focus and desire to win. You can see some strikers who swing in the game – it goes well, then they are suffering. With Drogba you always feel he has good focus.
“He is a fighter and I believe that we want to make sure that we combat him. Certainly one of the keys tomorrow will be to keep him quiet.
“But we have to consider that Adebayor can do the same to them, that Bendtner can do the same too. Also Drogba will play against Silvestre and Kolo Toure, who are strong defenders.
“So I do not worry about Drogba tomorrow. Not at all. If he scores, he scores. But when we have the ball, they don't have it, and he can't be dangerous.”
The defence that Drogba will face is not yet known. Bacary Sagna (virus), William Gallas (knee), Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee) are ruled out. According to Wenger, Kieran Gibbs has an 80 per cent chance of recovering from a groin problem he collected against Villarreal on Wednesday. Should he fail to recover, Alex Song will be brought into central defence and Mikael Silvestre will move out to left back. Lukasz Fabianski will keep goal on his 24th birthday and Andrey Arshavin is in the squad having been unavailable in midweek.
Arsenal fans have raised their expectations over the past two months. Back in January, a top-four spot in the Premier League may have been the limit of their ambition but, with that all but assured, there is a growing belief that a trophy is eminently achievable.
And the task ahead is pretty similar in both competitions. The final four of the FA Cup is Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton. The final four of the Champions League is Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona.
So the standard is high and the pressure is on. Wenger’s renaissance side deserve credit for their revival but the fixtures ahead look much more daunting than those in their recent past.
“But we relish that type of pressure,” Wenger insisted. “We want the pressure [of success] and are happy to have it.
“I don’t expect any weakness from Chelsea, I just expect full strength from our squad.
“Football is not predictable and it can change quickly from one game to another. They will try to defend well and attack well but I always focus on our strengths and the way we want to play the game.
“We're on a good run, we know we can score goals so let’s go for it.”
Stirring words from a manager who is justifiably confident.
- <LI class=bullet-arrow-silver>The tie has to be decided on the day. If it is level at full-time the game will go to extra-time and, if necessary, penalties.
- Arsenal’s appearance in the Semi-Final is a record-equalling 26th. Should they win they will have reached the Final for the 18th time, which would lift them level with Manchester United. Though the Old Trafford club have the opportunity to increase their tally to 19 on Sunday against Everton
loldude333
New member
Hmmmm.......will the injured players mentioned be available against Liverpool? Or else Arsenal can say goodbye to conceding less than 1 goal at Anfield.
fgl
Well-known member
well ... without the injured players AFC managed to whack villareAl 3-0 ... so I wouldnt be too worried abt pool ...
Similar threads
