Image courtesy DailyTimes.com 2019 Europa League Final Arsenal FC vs Chelsea FC Wed. May 29, 2019 3:00 PM EST National Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan Turner Broadcasting "I came to Baku the same way I would go to Texas - They asked me to come and play hip-hop." - Coolio Nothing says a London derby like an Olympic stadium closer to Asia than the Alps, but there you go. Our heroes venture east to sample the burgeoning cultural haven that is Baku. They'll dip their toes in the Caspian, they'll gaze at the Flame Towers, and if possible squeeze in a scrimmage against Moscow's finest export - Oligarchy! As far as previews go it's really simple - Arsenal needs to win to get into next year's Champions League and to claim their first European trophy since 1994. Plus it's against Chelsea. Kill.
I want to believe that we will win. I want to believe that we will win. I want to believe that we will win....sigh.
COYF'n'G on May 29th!!! Also stick that Blue flag up yer arse Roman Abramovich!!! .....and Up The 'Pool on June 1st!!! #TottenhamAreShit I just got my DISH 311 receiver replaced with a newer 211 receiver yesterday and now I WILL be watching BOTH matches on TNT!!! I'M FINALLY BACK!!! Oh and BTW I am also proud to say that I am currently working my third week at my new job in the cutting room in the meat department at Safeway here in Port Townsend as well, so AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS I am FINALLY working again, Tuesday thru Saturday from 6 pm-9 pm. Oh and finally, I will also be donning my vintage O2 home kit from The Invincibles Era so in hope it will help lead us back to Champions League for the first time in 2 years!!!
Thanks! Still (and with regrets too because I really DO enjoy his music) continuing my moratorium (until June 30th) on listening to any Paul Hardcastle material (under his Kiss The Sky, Jazzmasters, First Light, Direct Drive, and Paul Hardcastle brandings, of both his 1980s electro-funk and current chill/smooth jazz material) but, I have to do it, and don't worry Paul, everything will be back to normal after the match.
Here's yet another moment of greatness, and while donning those O2-sponsored shirts (from 2002-06), why O2 dropped out of football is beyond me, their simple icon worked absolutely perfect on Arsenal's shirts, "Fly Emirates" just doesn't seem to fit their kits, especially since Chel$ki had them first (the 2002-03 Arsenal away kit was without a doubt their best ever away kit, the "O" in "O2" made an absolute perfect bullsye on it when applied properly onto it like on my shirt).
I just fast-forwarded through the curious spectacle which was the "Final Whistle for Hate" match: Chelsea at NE Revs. Seemed like someone had good ideas and really good intentions for this friendly... except for the timing! It's almost as if Chelsea figured they wouldn't make it to the UEL Final. Or somehow they were bound and committed to do this charity match and with their summer tour to Asia this was literally the only time they could squeeze it in. And beyond this, they played virtually all of their big stars, from what I could tell. And some pretty serious minutes too. If I was a Chelsea supporter I would've been nervous as hell about this risky outing. If not angry. I saw one serious looking injury to Loftus-Cheek (ankle?)... he had to be helped off the pitch, and I presume he'd be a big doubt for Baku. Both teams were in-season, but the gulf in quality seemed immense. Revs sit bottom of the Eastern Conf, with some of the worst form in all MLS. But hey one useful thing about this match: I learned that they fired Brad Friedel as their coach Tuesday, and hired Bruce Arena as sporting director (and future coach?) But anyway, all I'm left thinking about this match is: curiouser and curiouser. And I'm so so glad Arsenal didn't do something risky like this.
Fortunately, and as a Seattle Sounders fan (when it comes to MLS) We had an (almost) easy time tonight against Orlando City, except our star stud Jordan Morris pulled a hammy during the match, but we still won 2-1, I'm glad we didn't get Chel$ki, who knows maybe the next time Arsenal come to the States (obviously not this year) we will be treated to a loyalty test, as I am a Gooner when it comes to the EPL, and also support VfL Wolfsburg when it comes to Mainland Europe (Germany), and the Sounders when it comes to MLS. I would pay a TON of $$$ (after I get out of debt with my new job at Safeway here in Port Townsend) to see The Gunners and Sounders face each other in any capacity, even if it's a mere friendly match. Someone can even fire up even a match between them on FIFA 19 or FIFA 20 for me and record it so I can see them (at least on XBox or PS4) play each other, with none other than Martin Tyler calling it!!! Fortunately, @NorthBank got to see both his NY Red Bulls and The Arsenal play against each other in New Jersey a few years back, perhaps we here in the Great Northwest will be treated to Unai's Red Army coming to the CLink, where you know at least 40,000 butts (maybe more, perhaps at least 50-60,000 if they decide to take the tarp off both the North End and the entire upper deck) will all be in (or at least on the edge of them) seats for that one, I hope to be one of them, and I will be donning The Red & White when I do, as a proud member of The Gunner Nation it would be one of my O2-sponsored Invincibles Era shirts when we meet. GO SOUNDERS!!!, IMMER NUR DU VfL!!!, and COYF'n'G!!!
http://www.espn.com/soccer/chelsea/...s-ruben-loftus-cheek-ruptures-achilles-tendon Absolutely crazy. I can't think of a parallel situation in any sport at its highest level, ever. There have been some fluke in-season injuries incurred by players doing things outside of competition (motorcycles, pick up games, in home accidents) but I've never heard of in-season exhibition games leading to serious injury to key personnel prior to a major game, or tournament final.
Wow. I knew it looked serious... but not that serious! The scheduling of the Boston match was insane. Some jobs at Chelsea may be on the line after that brilliant decision. Unless it was somehow on orders by Roman. Hard to imagine that.
So the guy who sits with me at Atlanta matches is an office mate who also happens to be a Chelsea fan. Atlanta plays the same night as our Cup final so we're taking the afternoon off to go watch the match somewhere before attending the AU match. To say that he's livid over the injury is an understatement.
Nice venue choice UEFA! Perhaps they're getting more and more like FIFA every year? e.g. Qatar '22 https://www.arsenal.com/news/club-disappointed-travelling-fans
Anybody else out there feel like I do… Let's just play this friggin final now! Like this Wednesday instead of next Wednesday?? The suspense of waiting is more than a little bit brutal.
Have to give the few travelers allowed entry time to make the journey. The Crusades covered less ground.
There's a nice little satire/parody of Neil Ashton and the choice of EL Final venue, in the "hidden bit" at the very end of the latest Arsecast: https://arseblog.com/2019/05/episode-525-summer-of-youth/ It starts at about the 1:11:35 mark
We are going to win. 3-1. Hat trick to Auba. Dude has hit his straps and is going to carry us with Laca to the promised land.