Arsenal @ Villarreal, Champions League Semi-final 2nd Leg Pre/dur/Post Match

I'm kinda hoping that he's slimmed down a bit

 

Lol, im sure Wenger put him on hhis famous french diet. See how small AW is?

 

Riquelme's quote:

'The first leg gave us the belief we will score against Arsenal,' Riquelme told UEFA.com.

Which game was he playing in last week? I agree with the rest here though that we've got to play a disciplined match and take our chances carefully.

 

Near the bottom of this article soccernet says Pena will re-establish his partnershp with Alvarez in the middle of defense. Are those the two main guys?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=365860&cc=5901

Arsene says Clichy won't start. I agree -- how can you break up the back four right now? I'm not saying Flamini could someday be a first choice left back, but you can't stop doing what's worked so well right at the most crucial time.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=365852&cc=5901

******ing-A I am nervous. Will be working again and trying to sneak the score. That's worked well so far. Come on you Gunners!

 

im antsy. there's just no security in the scoreline for me.

 

I wonder if Villareal will come out attacking in the first half. If they do, we will have the chance to counter and that's when we'll need to be CLINICAL. I'd love to see Freddie bang one in. An Arsenal goal may effectively end the tie. However, if it's nil-nil in the second half... well, we all know what that can do to the nerves.

To single out a few players, I feel that Reyes, Cesc and Gilberto all have something to prove. Reyes and Cesc did it at the Bernabeu and will hope to shine again because they need to show their talent in front of their fellow Spaniards, not to mention Aragones. As for Gilberto, who may have already booked his place in Brazilian World Cup squad, he still wants to own that starting position. All three of them will have that extra incentive, which will hopefully drive us to the final.

 

Totally and completely agree about Freddie and the match....we can not afford to well squander (for lack of a better word) chances like we have in the past few matches...put them in the back of the net! Come on Arsenal!

 

There were options just every single time Villa got past you guys they flubbed it, very poorly, in fact. That was honestly their worst offensive match in this entire competition. They played a better 0-0 draw to Man...gaaaag...Man...gaaaaggUnited. (sorry)

Some would argue that Gonzalo is better than Pena.
Alvarez is their captain. As this is a better set of central defenders than the first leg I fear, for them, I think their biggest hurdle will be scoring multples tomorrow. Arsenal seem to be the first team in the competition that knows exactly how to shut their system down, flood the midfield and pressure the living hell out of them.

 

Well it is official-Sol will get the start. Traveling squad listed on Arsenal.com and Wenger quoted as saying Sol will start. I don't have a problem with this. As TG said no motivational speech required-Sol knows what is at stake. Tminus 25 hours and counting......... I feel sick! Come on Arsenal!

 

isn't it weird...

we love the position we are in, yet these games make me both nervous, sick, excited, scared... sitting thru the last match was brutal. it was different than most arsenal matches ive seen, the tension is just outta control. the second legs of these things are the worst too, so tomorrow should be another brutal match for me. i probably didnt explain that well, but im sure those of you know what i mean.

 

I hear ya. The only time I've ever sweated so much while drinking was on Lake Powell.

 

I think you summed it up perfectly. The last CL match I was happy, but still not thrilled that we only won 1-0. I love the emotion of these matches, but wish it was a little less stressful. I guess if we didn't care so much about The Arsenal, it wouldn't be so upsetting.

Countdown: 24 1/2 hours until THE BIG MATCH!

 

hey! I think I can see my sangria down there!!

 

1 of my Summer drinks along with Heiffenweiss with a slice of lemon (thanks to Bighorn for that suggestion).

good times.

 

Bitte ein Bit!

 

don't be sorry...thanks for sharing.

 

With pretty much the whole Villareal team rested, i think that will boos them in a way, but no big for the Arse. AW rested Hleb and Ljungdberg, 2 players who will pour on the pace and attacking in the game tomorrow. When Villareal do attack, those 2 players mainly will be the ones to do some countering. Also we have Reyes, who, must be getting a bit tired by now but against Spanish teams he seems to play alot better. Im sure Sol will play really well, and 1 thing im glad about is that he has more speed than Senderos so that is always a good thing. Gilberto will need to do what he did in the last game....Overall i see the gunners winning 1-0.

 

I'm assuming that Sol is going to be wearing a facemask for the game. I hope he gets a scary Hockey mask type and not one of those lame clear ones.

 

game time is close at hand, and im nervous as F*** but im also confident in our boys, having one eye on the thing that has most eluded you in your career is not a sin, lets just hope concentration on the CL will pay off. if we werent in such a desperate situation we might have seen theo get some minutes, but i doubt it will happen.

eboue sol toure flamini
Gilberto
Hleb Cesc Fred Reyes
Henry


Sub clichy in depending on our situation.

i hope to play like we did juve the second leg, blunt there attack and hit on the counter if possible.

GO GOONERS~