Lehmann was decisive in his actions, Lahm was not. Oh, care to address the specific point I made about Torres being through one on one either way?
Lehmann might have thought he was being decisive but his actions were not. I see no need to address your point because what Lehmann did (or did not) directly influenced Lahm's actions. Therefore Torres would not have been through 'either way'.
Then that's Lahm's fault. He let Lehmann take action, even though he was in a better position to deal with things. Lehmann came in because Lahm was slowing down and attempting to "shield" Torres.
My stance is still Lahm should've done something about it either way. Ball should've been cleared immediately.
It may be your view but its the keeper's responsibility to communicate with his defenders at all times. He can see the whole field and if Lehmann was coming out to collect the ball, then he shouldve firstly, gone 100% and secondly made sure Lahm knew that it was the keeper's and no one else's. Whenever a keeper thinks twice, this is what happens...Lehmann should either have stayed on his line or got the ball with full conviction.
Defensive what defensive football did Arsenal play, just because they kept clean sheets don't mean they played defensive, every tie in that CL run was open, and Arsenal could've easily lost every single one of them. Also when it comes to the counter attack issue, I know Arsenal of the past 3 seasons have not been a counter attacking team, but to say Liverpool and Chelsea advanced farther because they counter attack is just plain wrong, Chelsea post Duff and Robben have not been anywhere near a counter attacking team, and neither has Liverpool. Man U are the only team of the top 4 who are capable of playing counter attacking football.
Wow. Just absolutely wow. I mean its absolutely remarkably useless. "Arsenal could've easily lost every single one of them". Really? REALLY? You mean they had a chance to lose each game they played? My God, I think you're on to something. Hey, guys, did you know that a team can lose each and every game? No, its true! Whoa. You have shocked me sir. Truly. And Arsenal didn't "keep clean sheets" - during Arsenal's run to the CL final (some of which I saw in person), they used very negative tactics and hoped for a goal from an isolated Henry. The notion that Arsenal's tie against Real was "open" is remarkably laughable. And I like saltwater taffy. That's just as relevant.
Please just stop. Arsenal v Real Madrid Aggregate Score 1-0 Arsenal v Juventus Aggregate Score 2-0 Arsenal v Villarreal Aggreate Score 1-0 And please go watch the Real Madrid tie again(cause i'm sure you never actually watched it the first time) and tell me what negative football was played in the tie.
So you're trying to prove the games were 'open' by showing that there were, in fact, 4 goals scored over 6 games?
It doesn't necessarily mean anything. The Madrid - Arsenal match at Highbury was the best 0-0 I have ever seen. It could have been 4-3 if not for hero performances from Lehman and Iker. A truly great game.
I voted for Lahm (and I'm waiting Clichy getting 2 or 3 years older). Evra in NT just achieved to make Abidal look better than him.
Except it does because Arsenal clearly played a defensive game to progress during the tournament after previous failings at their normal attacking game. Marooning Henry as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 is testament to that. As is the performances it forced their defense to make. Trying to deny it is idiotic.
Wait, you're trying to prove you played open football by showing 4 goals aggregate in 6 games??? I remember watching the Real tie quite well, thanks, just like I remember rooting for you to beat Barca. But the truth is that you played dour defensive football. Now, is there anything wrong with that? No. But there is something wrong with being up your own arse plastic for trying to deny it and claim that Arsenal never play anything but beautiful football. (Like the FA Cup final that you won on penalties against Utd.) What really gets me about plastic Arsenal fans is that they're so inordinately proud of how their club plays because they just care about the style of play, not the club. When I lived in London, I used to go Arsenal matches a decent amount and saw probably 6 or 7 matches one year in one set of seats (behind one of the goals at Ashburton Grove). These were "supporters club" seats, so fairly often quite a few were empty. Which is fine - same thing happens at most clubs. Until the last game of the season - the Chelsea game. On this day, several fans I had never seen before showed up with ********ing whistles. Half of what they said was "what beautiful ********ing football we play", in a game where the only Arsenal goal was scored after that awful rugby tackle on Bouhlarouz via penalty. In fact, despite being down a man, Chelsea almost took the lead (Cole's goal was correctly ruled off for offside) and Chelsea played Arsenal even the entire match. So what do these whistling clowns keep shouting? "What beautiful ********ing football we play" every time Arsenal manages to complete a simple pass. And ********ing using their whistles. Finally, one of the women sitting right below snatched their whistles away and refused to give them back. Those are the ********ing plastic Arsenal fans I hate, the ones who go on about beautiful football and the ones who keep claiming that any time an Arsenal side walks onto the pitch its like the reincarnation of Cruyff's Total Football. It ain't always how it works. Really. So the idea that you played beautiful football while isolating Henry up front is pathetic. Its OK to admit you don't always play pretty football. Just shows you're a plastic if you don't. EDIT: Oh dear God, perhaps you're not even smart enough to understand that since I referred to clean sheets in brackets I didn't mean that literally? If you are not.......well, lets just say it wouldn't be the smartest conclusion to draw.
Ashley Cole was absolutely shite last year, but hes found some serious form and to me looks the best.