Wenger: First place in the group is hugely important. Consider the possible opponents if results were decided today, ranked by ELO scores (from Football Database; for reference Arsenal is #6, BVB is #8, Chelsea is #9) Remember, association protection exists for the round of 16, so we couldn't play e.g. Man City this round. Bayern Munich - #1 Barcelona - #2 Real Madrid - #3 PSG - #4 Atletico Madrid - #5 vs Bayer Leverkusen - #11 Zenit St. Petersburg - #23 Olympiakos - #20 AC Milan- #25 Schalke 04 - #28 Galatasaray - #38 Given the difference in strength between those two pots, winning our group means a Arsenal will be SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to make the quarterfinals. Even the worst possible draw from pot 2 (Bayer Leverkusen) is probably better than the best possible draw from pot 1 (Atletico Madrid).
I will reserve all scenario speculation until we qualify for the knock out stages, but I will say that despite going out in the round of 16 each of the last 3 seasons, there have been some spectacular performances each of those 3 years: Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona . . . Koscielny's coming out party, Jack was the man, Arshavin's strike Arsenal 3-0 Milan . . . I mean, once the 3rd went in, you really thought we would pull it off Bayern 0-2 Arsenal . . . An outstanding team effort produced a consolation win that turned our entire domestic season around
Wenger: "Southampton had more possession than us? Tottenham had more possession than Man City..." Priceless!
What I would like to see: Theo Santi Ozil Rosicky Flamini Wilshere Nacho Merte Kos Sagna Shez What I expect to see, with Walcott getting another 30 minute or so run out late: Giroud Santi Ozil Ramsey Flamini Arteta Gibbs Merte Kos Sagna Shez
Arsenal: Szczesny Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal Flamini Ramsey Rosicky Ozil Wilshere Giroud subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Arteta, Walcott, Cazorla, Bendtner, Gnabry COYG!
The commentary team on the feed im watching give our team NO RESPECT. Teams don't fear Giroud. Still haven't passed a test. The team lacks "steel". F*ck them. Can't wait til we take the league.
Guys if you need a stream seriously watch the one I posted, no offense to IU Gunner's but it's much better quality Only downside is it's Andy Townsend