Arsenal Thread

Good game guys. Our 2nd half should've been how we started, but we made too many stupid mistakes. Both legs were great for the neutrals, so well done :)

BTW, I think Chamberlain offers so much more than Walcott, both physically and technically. I thought Rosicky had a pretty good game, but thought Song was pretty poor.

We both had sitters and missed them, so it's quite even.
 
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Great game - incredible first half performance. Milan just had too much nous towards the end though. Drew lots of soft fouls, broke up play and were just more mature and intelligent than Arsenal for hte last half hour.

I'd of much preferred Benayoun to Chamakh (and Park) - where's he at these days?
 
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What an inspiring performance it was, it kinda reminded me of the Istanbul Final in 2005 since I am a Liverpool fan, I expected Arsenal to show the same character in the 2nd half as Liverpool did back in 2005.
They nearly made, I gotta give huge credits to the Arsenal players for turning what was supposed to be a boring 2nd leg into one of the best matches in Champions League so far.
 
Brilliant effort from the gunners. VERY proud of them; gutted where out but no one cannot question the sheer heart and determination of them. They gave it there all against a top champions league side. NOTHING to be ashamed about.
 
I was feeling gutted at the end to be so close :DOH: If the scoreline was 1 nil I can live w/ that but 3-4.... We really should of done better at San Siro. Ibram falls a lot for a big man someone said this was a better Milan team , not on this night.


I hope we continue this for Newcastle game next Monday....it will be epic !I credit the last 2 matches to give us this lift. How good was the OX running back knocking Milan players like domino it`s like another Jack on the team.
 
lazyForken said:
poor u! U denied tickets for this game! ahah =p
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Guess what? After I turned down the ticket another friend called me today offering his ticket, as he was trapped at work. So I decided not to ignore fate and ended up going after all! :D
And I'm glad I did! Totally worth it :)

So proud of the guys today! Today they gave their all, no doubt. You could see at the end of the match how some of them were knackered, especially Song! The team lacked stamina really to continue in that intensity.

Rosicky is a whole new different animal :LOL: what a performance!

In the end, with all our injuries (Wilshere, Ramsey, Arteta) we did our best with what we had. When you see Chamakh and Park coming in, you see Wenger using his last resources.

Ox played midfielder role, but still was very very good!
I'm not a big fan of Walcott but he was good today for most of the time, worked really hard (different from Liverpool game).

The pairing Vermaelen + Koscielny were absolutely amazing today.
But to be fair, Milan didn't produce much tonight. Their first half was one of the worst I've seen them playing.

RvP, was soooo close to putting us 4-0 up! That chip could have been a blast past the keeper instead, couldn't it?
Oh well, if there's one guy we can't complain about, is the Captain!

Our left side was the only thing under par... Gibbs and Gervinho, those guys were very ineffective really.
But everyone showed a lot of effort and pride and that's what mattered to us. It was hard to revert such scoreline but we got very close and can carry on with heads high!
Very well done Arsenal.

Roll on Monday vs Newcastle!
 
What a shame Arsenal didn't score a 4th.
But even if you are out, that is a performance you can build on.
And suddenly it seems as if Rossicky will after all become the player he propmised to be when he played for Dortmund. That is good news for Arsenal and for football.

Jonney, a couple of weeks ago i was pretty confident that Spurs would end above Arsenal. I'm not so sure anymore (thank you FA). But judged on recent performances, Arsenal deserve to be up there....since Spurs (unfortunately) all seems to go well for Arsenal.
 
gerd said:
What a shame Arsenal didn't score a 4th.
But even if you are out, that is a performance you can build on.
And suddenly it seems as if Rossicky will after all become the player he propmised to be when he played for Dortmund. That is good news for Arsenal and for football.

Jonney, a couple of weeks ago i was pretty confident that Spurs would end above Arsenal. I'm not so sure anymore (thank you FA). But judged on recent performances, Arsenal deserve to be up there....since Spurs (unfortunately) all seems to go well for Arsenal.
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i agree, Arsenal somehow diddnt collapse and lost their way when AC destroyed us and we got knocked out of the FA cup. every other season we would go and implode in spectacular style but all of a sudden, Wenger has somehow motivated his players to beat spurs, liverpool and now AC.

we diddnt get the 4th goal because Ox got injured and AC played much better in the 2nd half.

Our subs diddnt do anything. Diddnt make a good impact in the game and that is another reason why we failed to score.

Gerd, Spurs are not playing well because i think Harry's head has been turned by FA for the england job, well done but fact is, even if his head wasnt turned, it was ALWAYS a tall ask to beat both arsenal and united back to back mate.

The real test to see if Spurs are really are in danger is when you face a team like norwich or someone like that, if you llose then you can say spurs are in trouble but u have no shame in losing to arsenal away and united, current champions
 
The fact is that at times Spurs played the best football of the entire league (and i might be biased, but i've said the same a long time from Arsenal). As recent as the match against a good Newcastle team, Spurs were absolutely outstanding.
I also remember the home match against Liverpool that was very good.

But it seems Spurs still need to take one step up (where Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs have taken that step) and that is winning against direct opponents in away games (0-0 against Liverpool is just not good enough) and also winning ugly (that is something Arsenal should also learn, although against Liverpool last weekend, that was a step in the right direction).

Despite the peculiar season players like Song; Koscielny, Oxlade Chamberlain and Rossicky definitely have made a step forwards this season...while Van Persie...well there is no denying now that he is among the best attackers in the world...

Wonder when Wilshere will come back, because he was destined to be the most important Arsenal player...

Anyway let's hope that both Arsenal and Spurs can play the CL and then we will beat you in the final...
 
gerd said:
The fact is that at times Spurs played the best football of the entire league (and i might be biased, but i've said the same a long time from Arsenal). As recent as the match against a good Newcastle team, Spurs were absolutely outstanding.
I also remember the home match against Liverpool that was very good.

But it seems Spurs still need to take one step up (where Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs have taken that step) and that is winning against direct opponents in away games (0-0 against Liverpool is just not good enough) and also winning ugly (that is something Arsenal should also learn, although against Liverpool last weekend, that was a step in the right direction).

Despite the peculiar season players like Song; Koscielny, Oxlade Chamberlain and Rossicky definitely have made a step forwards this season...while Van Persie...well there is no denying now that he is among the best attackers in the world...

Wonder when Wilshere will come back, because he was destined to be the most important Arsenal player...

Anyway let's hope that both Arsenal and Spurs can play the CL and then we will beat you in the final...
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Spurs and Arsenal are doing things right. they dont buy success, they make world class players mate. dont like city or chelsea, they have ruined football throwing billions on player transfers and wages. How can arsenal and spurs compete with them offering 200k on players?
 
jonneymendoza said:
Spurs and Arsenal are doing things right. they dont buy success, they make world class players mate.
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I'm pretty sure Spurs have bought most of their players. They have spent a lot of money over the years too. It's been a gradual process and they are now a very good team and I prefer the way they do it compared to the way City are doing it but to say they don't buy the "success" (they haven't actually won anything in donkeys years!) they are having isn't exactly true. All teams by the success they have. Buying young stars parents a home etc. is buying success. That's teh reason I don't cry about other teams. It is what it is whichever way they get to the top. Nothing can be done about it so pointless moaning about it. Suppose it just makes thing s a little more interesting instead of watching United consistently win the league and Liverpool before them (back in the day).
 
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It's true - Spurs have only been outspent by City, Chelsea and Liverpool in recent years. Even with the big sales of Berbs and Carrick, they're still spending about £20m net a year.

Up until last season, they'd managed to keep wages really low, but now that has shot up as I understand it.

I wouldn't be surprised if they sell Modric in the summer to keep stable.
 
Here we go again. UEFA cunts!! (have I ever said it before?)
They're taking their cuntishness to stratospheric levels. Arsene Wenger charged (again) for complaining to the ref.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17291879

First let's be clear, I'm not saying Arsenal should have progressed if it wasn't for the referee. But I think it's fair to say that we were on the wrong end of many soft fouls in the 2nd half, that allowed Milan to slow down the tempo. Ibrahimovic knew very well what he was doing diving like that over and over.

On top of that, 3 minutes of added time was preposterous. All the substitutions were made in the 2nd half, plus what was easily 2 minutes for medical treatment in a clash between Vermaelen and Mexes. So Wenger rightly complained about that too. Anywhere else you would see 4 or even 5 minutes added time.

I think any other manager in that situation would have complained to the ref without such overreaction, but those cunts are having none of it. Since when are those pricks untouchable like that? So anyone who criticises and questions their performances will be punished?
That ref yesterday was clearly out of his depth.

Wenger is being targeted year after year by UEFA. I think rumours of bad blood between him and Platini must be true after all. You don't see such disproportionate punishments towards other managers.
Hell, Mourinho even got one referee retired with his accusations after a tie against Barcelona, and I don't recall nothing happening with him?

Really fucked up. Shame on UEFA
 
I was really surprised Wenger accused the ref of anything. What the hell did the ref do wrong? If that ref performance didn't please Wenger then nothing would have. Refs get too much bullshit.

You had a great first half but after that van Persie miss, you shut down and Milan controlled the game.
 
Zeem said:
I was really surprised Wenger accused the ref of anything. What the hell did the ref do wrong? If that ref performance didn't please Wenger then nothing would have. Refs get too much bullshit.

You had a great first half but after that van Persie miss, you shut down and Milan controlled the game.
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The ref let Milan slow the game down by giving them most of their tumbles as fouls. This definately went into their favour.

I remember one fresh air kick from Ibra and Song getting a yellow card for it :LOL: and also another where Ibra kicked his own heal and fell over and they got a free kick.

So I can see where Wenger is coming from, but it always sounds like sour grapes after a loss, that is why I didn't mention it yesterday. Also I agree with his point about Milans pitch in the first leg...but again it just sounds like sour grapes, even though it is a fair poitn to make.

Milan used their experience (basically slowing the game down by feigning injury) and the ref was fooled by it. With that Milan were able to have more time on the ball and control the game.

But no complaints by me, we lost fairly, we got humped in that first leg and it is our own faults we were in that position in the first place.
 
Zeem said:
I was really surprised Wenger accused the ref of anything. What the hell did the ref do wrong? If that ref performance didn't please Wenger then nothing would have. Refs get too much bullshit.

You had a great first half but after that van Persie miss, you shut down and Milan controlled the game.
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Arsenal fans and some neutrals will point out how Milan controlled the game by getting free kicks that shouldn't be. Ibrahimovic is a strong fella, you know, he played the ref very well.

But forget about that, it can be a subjective matter, anything I, as an Arsenal supporter, or you as a Milan supporter say, may be biased.

Let's just focus on the 3 minutes added time (considering the injuries and all substitutions) and the simple fact that Wenger went to complain to the ref. Honestly, I can imagine any manager complaining with the ref - whether they're right or not, there would have been complaints from any manager in AW's situation.

I was fine with the team being eliminated and the result. No problems there.
What I do question now is why this disproportionate punishment to Wenger?
 
I though the referee was pretty poor to be honest, but Wenger knows better than to criticise Uefa officials!!

Anyways very inspiring performance from Arsenal, very unfortunate!

If there's one thing you guys definitely need to do is get rid of Gervinho. I know that's quite harsh, but every time I've seen him play I've always had the impression "Such potential, but what is he doing?" the left was indeed very ineffective and if Arsenal applied more pressure on the flanks (especially Walcott against a weaker Mesbah compared to Abate) then I think Arsenal could have grabbed the fourth in the first half. I really enjoyed RVP and Rosicky's performance, very fluid and quick touches.
 
I consider myself neutral in that match and thought the ref was pretty poor. In the first half he was dishing out yellows for nothing challenges, then all of sudden stopped giving them out at all.

He was also basically giving a foul anytime a player fell down. Which Milan quickly realised and fell down - a lot. For a strapping lad, that Ibrahimovic isn't half easy to knock over.

And I was annoyed about the 3 minutes too. I mean, come on - all subs used at 30s a sub is 3 minutes already, and that takes into account no injuries or pauses in play for the copious fouls that he called up.

I just think he looked out of his depth and scared to be there - he clearly wanted to get the hell out of dodge. Hence running away from Wenger at the end and squealing to UEFA.
 
The ref did make more and more mistakes as match went on. He started being inconsistent and looked out of depth and SCARED, I agree. Overall, nothing at all in my opinion to cost Gunners the match and he wasn't biased or one-sided, but needless to say he didn't do himself and his reputation any favours with that performance and I for one would be happy to see him NOT ref any more CL matches this year.

He was indecisive and hesitant and looked to be influenced quite easily. And for a man who's supposed to be authoritative and cool in the center in control of everything, he looked anything but calm. It's like the situation was too big for him and his confidence at certain parts and you could clearly tell from his face/body language. Guy never smiled once either, just angry the whole time which said a lot.
 
What was worse was that ref squealing back to UEFA and now this is out of proportion. Arsenal will appeal, UEFA will deny, bla bla..

In other (good) news, Arsenal appeared to reach an agreement for Lukasz Podolski. Will be much welcomed if he comes!
 
Sky Italy reported Wenger had a go at the ref after the game in the tunnel, with the ref shouting back saying "DON'T TOUCH ME"... sounds like something Mourinho would do.
 
referee was shit mate. fuck him.

anyways this is more or less a done deal

Lukas Podolski!!!! announced in bbc breakfest news and they are usually 10/10 bang on the money
 
PLF said:
The ref did make more and more mistakes as match went on. He started being inconsistent and looked out of depth and SCARED, I agree. Overall, nothing at all in my opinion to cost Gunners the match and he wasn't biased or one-sided, but needless to say he didn't do himself and his reputation any favours with that performance and I for one would be happy to see him NOT ref any more CL matches this year.

He was indecisive and hesitant and looked to be influenced quite easily. And for a man who's supposed to be authoritative and cool in the center in control of everything, he looked anything but calm. It's like the situation was too big for him and his confidence at certain parts and you could clearly tell from his face/body language. Guy never smiled once either, just angry the whole time which said a lot.
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i completely agree with u Sina. the ref just never had a grip on the match. but there's really no reason for arsenal to complain, as everyone will agree that it wasn't because of the ref that arsenal didn't go through the next stage.
and also the 3 minutes of stoppage time don't provide arsenal with any serious grounds for complaints. i mean arsenal was winning by 3 goals at halftime... they had 50 minutes to score another goal (wich they didn't score).... complaining for just a few seconds more would only sound bitter, as bobby pointed out.

i can sympathize with wenger's reaction, of course. unlike the players, the coaches don't have any chance to vent out their adrenaline during the game, so once the match is over, they're obviously not cool nor calm enough to control themselves.... but still, it was wrong to question the ref, inadequate though he might have been. simple as that.

as a neutral, this double matchup left a bad taste in my mouth. we had 180 minutes of football but we never saw milan and arsenal playing football at the same time: in the first leg arsenal didn't show up at all, in the 2nd leg milan just didn't bother playing football. although the aggregate result might suggest otherwise, i found theese 2 matches very poor.... it was exciting, thrilling, entertaining... sure, but certainly not because of the quality of the football displayed by both teams (wich is what matters the most to me).
 
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If Man City get Van Persie, they'll have finally completed their Arsenal 2007-2008 sticker collection.

Here's hoping they don't.
 
strange that we`re doing this business so early ... is there doubt for 4th spot? Or is this about RVP`s ambition I heard we`re offering robin a £5m bonus sign on :SMUG: they should of done this w/ players in the past I tell ya.
 
its great that we are doing business early so before the euros we would have made some decent signings already and the new signings can all gel and make good impact before beginning of the season.

there is of course a flipside and this maybe RVP secretly has told wenger he wants to go end of the season so wenger has no choice BUT to act quickly and not make same mistake twice by acting too late
 
I think Robin wants to stay, but wants to see the ambition from the club. Mayeb that is why we are getting things done early with Podolski? If he doesn't see ambition, then I think he will be off. He wants to win things and his talent should see him do that.
 
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