Arsenal vs. FC Porto [R] Pre/dur/Post Match Thoughts [Archive]

red & wite army

24 Sep 2006, 05:46 PM

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1199/arsvsportocopymj5.jpg

According to Ibby, this match is big...let us converse about the Arsenal!:)

antifan

24 Sep 2006, 05:47 PM

I just hope Porto comes to play. I can't bear to watch another diving contest.

red & wite army

24 Sep 2006, 05:54 PM

mixmastermatt

24 Sep 2006, 06:35 PM

Arsenal will score nearly a million goals in 90 minutes and Porto will fall over. I stupidly said I can't work this game but then realised I can... will have to phone in tomorrow to let them know that they can give me money to come to the stadium if they still want.

Rewinder

24 Sep 2006, 07:25 PM

I'm a little concerned about us giving up a penalty or two in this one. If we win this one, it is a huge step towards qualification to the next round, 1 more win after this - which is our easiest game - would about seal our position in the next round.

4-5-1, with baptista starting. Choke porto in the midfield so they can't get any runs going, then pin them back like we have done in our last 3 games, and we will win. No reckless tackling, especially in this game. No penalties, and no sending offs, and we should win.

northlondon11

24 Sep 2006, 07:33 PM

I rubbed my crystal balls and they told me:

Arsenal 2, Porto 1

They didn't tell me how, when, or in what order the goals would come but if Arsenal waits until late into the second half to score like they have been, my ulcer is gonna explode. I just can't take it...:eek:

goonsquad

24 Sep 2006, 07:42 PM

Porto are no pushovers, but I see us coming away 1-0 or 2-1. I think if we can score early, we have a chance of blowing things open though.

HENRYYY

24 Sep 2006, 07:52 PM

2-0 to Arsenal (Rosicky, Henry)

I'd go with the 4-5-1 with Baptista playing the attacking midfield and I would also start Hleb over Ljungberg because Hleb is playing much better than him at the moment..

Bring on RvP for Baptista at the 70th minute and also bring on Ljungberg and and either Flamini or Walcott depending on what we need late in the game

Gunners11

25 Sep 2006, 01:40 AM

Could be our toughest challenge in the group. I think we'll win (2-1) but this will be a tough match. It seems like we are finally starting to hit our best form and I hope that continues.

RealMadGunner

25 Sep 2006, 01:40 AM

Sheesh, tell me about it! I'm feeling a bit wary of Anderson and Diego, particularly the former.:o
TBH, I've got a bad feeling about this match...which means nothing really. Its just that my Birthday is on Thurday, and I hate losing or drawing before my Birthday...last year we beat Ajax, which suited me fine!
I think Diego has left Porto to some german club (?!) .. I really dont expect a tough contest ..
And with our defence looking solid lately, i'd for for a 2-0 win. Hleb,Baptista :D

i404

25 Sep 2006, 02:41 AM

I think Diego has left Porto to some german club (?!) .. I really dont expect a tough contest ..
And with our defence looking solid lately, i'd for for a 2-0 win. Hleb,Baptista :D

Yeah, Diego is in Bremen now, tearing the Bundesliga apart. He didn't really flourish at Porto, but he's really showing his stuff now.

Shen-O

25 Sep 2006, 02:45 AM

He flopped at Porto, don't sugarcoat!

ibby

25 Sep 2006, 03:40 AM

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1199/arsvsportocopymj5.jpg

According to Ibby, this match is big...let us converse about the Arsenal!:)

It is big :o

Seriously though portugese sides are always tough to beat..ask Manchester United or Liverpool, a lot of people underestimate them, if we win this match we virtually just need one more win to get through, the sooner we get through the better for two reasons...

1. We can concentrate on the Premiership
2. When we are certain for top spot we can give the players lacking match fitness games for example Senderos, Clichy Lauren etc...

michaec

25 Sep 2006, 08:28 AM

RealMadGunner

25 Sep 2006, 08:37 AM

I think we should go with the side that started on Saturday. A win here sets us up perfectly to win the group, we need to attack and pin them back, not play some cagey game. I'd like to see a high tempo from the off, put them under pressure and see if we can crack them early on.
Wenger said he was resting Hleb (on the Arsenal FC site) .. so i expect to see freddie on the bench this game .. but otherwise i really want Baptista to start a game soon ..

Gunners11

25 Sep 2006, 08:55 AM

I think we should go with the side that started on Saturday. A win here sets us up perfectly to win the group, we need to attack and pin them back, not play some cagey game. I'd like to see a high tempo from the off, put them under pressure and see if we can crack them early on.

I agree, that sounds good. No need to sit back and let them get comfortable. Hopefully we're attacking from the start and get an early one, get them outta their rhythm and never let them settle into the game.

Dave_M

25 Sep 2006, 09:50 AM

....

Where you been hiding these days michaec....aint seen you for ages. All this season and last in fact...

michaec

25 Sep 2006, 10:01 AM

Where you been hiding these days michaec....aint seen you for ages. All this season and last in fact...
Moved out to Essex with the Doris, sold my flat, buying a house, selling her flat etc., etc. Haven't had time to fart much less mess about on the internet and drink! Hopefully once it all settles down I'll have more time to waste. :)

billyho96

25 Sep 2006, 10:27 AM

I normally always expect Arsenal to lose 5 nil. However, i think porto are a joke.

This is not Porto of Champions League 2004.

The best players left with the coach. Benni McCarthy is off to Blackburn (or where ever) They are not a second pot team, their UEFA coefficient is being held up by that run to the final. Hamburg will finish first or second in our group.

Rick B

25 Sep 2006, 11:29 AM

I'm going for 2-0. Porto whoever they have in their team is tough. But we are on a roll and we should beat them at home.