opponents in Champions League [R]

[SLO-Gunner]

Given that Celta didn't provide too much opposition, who would you guys prefer we meet next? I really wouldn't mind meeting Real in the quarters. I think our chances of beating a team like them is as good as ever right now.

[zippy]

Relatively easy draws: Monaco, Lyon, Porto, Chelsea

Tougher draws: AC Milan, Real, Depor

[Gunners11]

I hope and pray that we get drawn against Chelsea. Out of all the teams left I want to play them more then any of the others, if just for the simple fact that we have a huge pcyhological advantage against them. The one team who I would not want to face is ACMilan, they are in good form, and would definately be a tough draw.

[Catfish]

Real Madrid and AC Milan would be the hardest draws. Chelsea, we seem to own this season, but I still respect them and being too cocky could come back to bite us on the arse.

Honestly, if we play our style of footie, I don't think anyone in Europe can run with us.

[CelticOnFire]

I kind of get the gut fealing of Arsenal/Chelski before the CL is done.

Not in the final though...Chelski? Yeah, rihgt.

[Its only Ray Parlour]

I don't think playing Chelsea at this stage is a particularly good draw. I'd prefer them in the semi's, more pressure & the boys would almost be able to taste the final. Chelsea would never be able to out-do us in terms of desire & commitment at that stage. I'd much prefer Chelsea to be a spanner in the works for some of the other big guns, i'd fancy them to give AC Milan a good game & hopefully Depor & Real could face eachother. Once you reach the semi's there is literally no hiding place, whoever you face will be top-class opposition. I think that's where we'll need to pull out a couple of historic results to push us over the line.

[CDNGooner]

It doesn't matter who we play - however personally, I'd rather not see us play Chelsea at this stage. Sure, we've owned them but one of these days, Chelsea is going to beat us. I'm afraid that the lads will be complacent if we play against Chelsea and that will bite us in the ass. Of course, the boys will ensure that complacency won't set in but you'll never know. Also, I just prefer to see Arsenal play a team that they've never played before or played for a while - this is what makes the CL so great.

[SLO-Gunner]

I think I'm with CDN on this one. When are we going to get another shot at the likes of someone like Real with so much up for grabs. I'd like to basically meet anyone but Chelsea having played them three times already this year.

[Bill Schmidt]

You are currently one of the most desired opponents for Real Madrid in the next round, according toa poll on that board. That would be a good match, but perhaps too early.

[GoFireGo]

I still think teams from the same country cannot meet until the semifinals of the CL.

[AmericanGunner]

The rules have changed. Its an open draw. You can play clubs from the same country.

I want to avoid Milan, Chelsea and Deportivo.

I would like Porto the most and then either of the French sides.

Ambivalent about Real Madrid.

Law of averages works against us regarding Chelsea. The less we see them the better. I have a sneaking suspicion Deportivo will be in the finals. They have a good attack but defend better than Real Madrid. Milan are better suited to stunting our attack and getting us frustrated and have the quality players for a counter and the quality to score with only a couple chances on target. If we are not awed by them, I think we can scare Real Madrid and carve them open. It will be a 4-3 game probably.

We're too physical for Porto and the french sides aren't that good, just like their league. They won't be able to defend us that well. We'll win 4-2.

Also, I'd rather play away first.

[jegerpenge]

Originally posted by AmericanGunner
...and the french sides aren't that good, just like their league. They won't be able to defend us that well. We'll win 4-2.

best not to let dan hear you say that...

[mixmastermatt]

com'n people - it doesnt matter who we meet weather its real madrid or ac milan or porto or chelsea or whoever

TO BE THE BEST YA GOTTA BEAT THE BEST

bring it on real - their defence is so ******** henry will cream himself with the amount of goals he will score - and we all heard what reyes did to them! - ronaldo could be out for some time and raul has been not up to scratch this season!

i dont care who we get - the bigger the better!

[GJ40]

I would be disappointed if Arsenal didn't face Real at some point but I'd rather that it not come about in the quarters.

Advancing means revenue. For that reason alone, I'd like to see them get as far as they can. But then again, I would rather not win it by the luck of the draw.

Porto in the quarters (to do the job that Man U couldn't), Real in the semis and Milan in the finals!

GJ40

[yossarian]

I'll echo what several others have said...I would rather not be drawn against Milan or Deportivo in the next round.
I also agree with IORP in that I wouldn't want to meet Chelsea until later if at all. They're a decent side and you figure if we play them enough eventually they're going to have a match where a majority of the lucky bounces go their way instead of ours. By that, I'm not saying that we were lucky to beat them 3 times but that I can envision a situation similar to what happened against Liverpool in the 2001 FA final where we pretty much dominated that match but then Owen gets 2 in the final 10 minutes and we've got nothing to show.
In any event, it's about to get very interesting.

[jpatel1508]

I personally hope that we get drawn against AC Milan in the quarters and then Chelsea in the semi's. Guess who I think, if we make it and they make, to play in the final...Real Madrid.

I would love for us to be drawn against AC Milan, not only because it would be a very enterntaining match, but also because I'm sure ESPN will televise that match.

If we win the Champions League, I'd rather Arsenal go through each round with the toughest opponents. What better way than beating the current Champions and then after beating Chelsea, take on the Galactios and give them a hiding.

[ArsenalTexan3]

Look on the bright side. If we do draw Chelski, Bergkamp can travel. ;)

[JohnW]

At this stage of the CL, there won't be any easy outs.

That said, I agree with American Gunner, AC Milan plays a style that has caused us problems in the past--they defend well and are content to play for a 0-0 draw away, confident they will get the 1-0 at home, yesterday's 4-1 victory notwithstanding.

I think the dream final would be Arsenal-Real. You would have two teams who play great football, and the subplots with did Wenger spurn them? do they really want Henry and/or Viera? etc.

Porto did win the UEFA Cup last year, but let's face it, a relatively weak United side should have advanced (Scholes wasn't even close to being offside on the disallowed goal, and Tim Howard should have done better with the free kick).

I wouldn't mind playing Chelsea, but in the back of my mind I just keep wondering how many more times we can beat them in big competitions. And Ranieri has proven he will gladly sacrifice any semblance of offense, to advance. That's not all bad, mind you, but I think if Chelsea got the early goal they've had in the past two meetings, they would play the rest of that game and the entire next match with 11 behind the ball.

So my vote goes to Porto, followed by either of the French sides.

[phishy]

Originally posted by Catfish
Real Madrid and AC Milan would be the hardest draws. Chelsea, we seem to own this season, but I still respect them and being too cocky could come back to bite us on the arse.



c'mon catfish... you know its cuz you still fancy chelsea!!!!!

hahahahahhaha

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by phishy
c'mon catfish... you know its cuz you still fancy chelsea!!!!!

hahahahahhaha

Never going to let him forget that, are you, phishy???