European Success?

[all_guns_blazing]

I was just wondering how other hard core Arsenal supporters think we are gunna go in the Champions Leauge this year?

It is one competition that has eluded the gunners in recent years, however can their success in the group phase (including an impressive 5-1 win away over last years semi finalists inter) be used as evience to suggest that the european rainclouds are going to clear up? or is it the same old story just a different season?

Personally i think they are going to be competitive,
what about other Arse fans?

[GJ40]

After the last couple of seasons, I try not to think beyond the current round. Each time they advance, it's a moral and financial victory.

GJ40

[yossarian]

We certainly have a match up that we cannot complain about with Celta Vigo. Last time I checked they were third or fourth from the bottom in La Liga. However, none of our recent travels anywhere in Spain have turned out well so I'm definitely not over-confident.

[jwaldman11]

Originally posted by yossarian
We certainly have a match up that we cannot complain about with Celta Vigo. Last time I checked they were third or fourth from the bottom in La Liga. However, none of our recent travels anywhere in Spain have turned out well so I'm definitely not over-confident.

Course I think we all said that about Italy a couple of years back when the Gunners went in and drilled Roma!

I actually think the new format sets up perfectly for Arsenal, because you're now only playing two matches in the second stage as opposed to six. With the lack of depth Arsenal have at certain key positions (particularly striker with DB10 being unwilling to fly), that helps a ton because the players are a little fresher. It's set up well for us, although don't underestimate Celta Vigo. As bad as they've been in La Liga, you have to be pretty good to make it through the first group stage in CL.

[yossarian]

Originally posted by jwaldman11
Course I think we all said that about Italy a couple of years back when the Gunners went in and drilled Roma!

I actually think the new format sets up perfectly for Arsenal, because you're now only playing two matches in the second stage as opposed to six. With the lack of depth Arsenal have at certain key positions (particularly striker with DB10 being unwilling to fly), that helps a ton because the players are a little fresher. It's set up well for us, although don't underestimate Celta Vigo. As bad as they've been in La Liga, you have to be pretty good to make it through the first group stage in CL.

True, although did you see how they made it through? Their last game when they beat AC Milan was wacky to say the least. Most of Milan's starters were already on their way to Japan to play Boca so their defense was horrible. Kaka was there and played well but most of the other Milan players looked disinterested...especially in their marking. The winning goal was hysterical in that the Celta forward got the ball played to him right at the 6, he swung and missed, then kind of stumbled and swung at the ball again, this time shanking into the net.
But like I said....I don't underestimate anyone either especially considering our past CL performances. We cannot afford to take anyone lightly. With our luck Silvinho will tear us up from the back or something equally as crazy.

[michaec]

We have a good draw in the second round and I expect us to win through against Celta. As for going all the way, I detect a maturing in the way the team are playing this year. They are more patient, not throwing everyone forward as soon as we go a goal down, or are coming into the final stages of a match we need to win. We were rewarded in Milan and at home to Kiev and Lokomotiv for this approach. For all that, I just don't think we have the defenders to keep out Europe's best attacks and a lot will depend on how we do in attack. If Messrs Henry, Pires, Bergkamp and Ljungberg are firing when we play our European ties then we have a chance at a good run.

[442]

michaec makes a good point about of defense. To win in the latter stages we'll need to control the ball and keep attacking. For the Arsenal, the best defense may be a good offense.