Let's get the thread for this HUGE game started. Any new Henry news? Everything I've seen seems to say he's out for Tuesday. Perhaps one of our boys (or girls) on that side of the Atlantic has more info. PBP: dwinkler, are you doing it again on Tuesday? I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we enjoy it. If you can't, let me know, as I'll be here at the house as the DISH guy will be installing my new system. In addition to PBP, I'm sure a lot of us will keep one eye on the scoreline from Amsterdam, as well.
We humiliated them on their own pitch and now they seem to have come along a bit. I dont think we win 4-0 but I still think we should win in easy fashion. Now, if Henry is hurt, and the above is the first Ive heard of it than we certainly are in a tight spot. I have absolute faith in DB10 to provide the offense or provide to the offense.
What do you lot think are the chances of a Kanu appearance, maybe in Henry's spot? Vive le AFC! OPArsenal
is this the game we get on espn here in the states? or is it the newcastle vs inter match? im getting off work tomorrow if it is on the dish fer sure~ 1-0 to the gunners.. .maybe a fredddddddddddie goal to settle it~ phishy
From the tv listings ESPN is giving, seems like it's gonna be Newcastle vs. Inter tomorrow. They showed Inter vs. Barça a couple weeks ago, so wouldn't that be a good reason to show an Arsenal match on ESPN?
Possible injuries - Henry, Keown, Campbell http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2832739.stm My biggest worry is at left back. I remember doing PBP for the first Roma game, and it seemed like I typed "Cafu" about a thousand times. I think he's going to absolutely torch GVB, and I don't know that Pires is strong enough to really help out.
I'm soooo nervous about this match! I think anyone who's been following the Gunners for more that a couple of years knows how we like to make things difficult for ourselves and I fear that Roma is the type of side that could reveal our shortcoming if we're not a careful. I think they showed what they are capable of by getting a result at the Mestalla, something Arsenal has never been able to do, and I fear they could easily do the same at Highbury if we do not take the initiative. Especially if the rumors are true about Sol. Anyone care to comment on the current form of Totti & Co. Was the result agains Valencia a fluke? How is their league form right now?
Roma is still having a terrible season despite having their spirits lifted in Valencia. They got off to a bad start in the league and haven't made any hint of making a run even for a UEFA Cup spot - one win in their last five matches (that against Empoli at home) and remain 8th in the league. Roma had a VERY tough derby vs Lazio on Saturday (a fortuitous 1-1 draw on a late goal by Cassano). I'd say all the advantage is with Arsenal in this one, except for any motivation Roma might take in knowing they really must get a result here to have any hope.
Well that's a bit of relief although Cassano scoring, he's that young 'future of Italy' striker isn't he, is a bit worrying. Still at least we aren't the only one's suffering from the after-effects of a tough derby match.
This is going to be a rough match. Arsenal need 4 points from the next two games to make it to the next round. This game is their best chance to get 3 points. In particular, the team has to avoid dominating possession without results! In the games against Ajax, Arsenal controlled possession for long stretches of the game but didn't do anything with that control. They seemed to lack the final push and didn't work to the team's strength which is speed! Arsenal have to be one of the fastest and most skilled teams around. When they take advantage of this (usually on counter-attacks) they are very dangerous! Slowing the game down takes away this advantage and I believe is the difference between games like that against Manchester City or Manchester United and Ajax or Chelsea...
.. This really depends on the team put on show. However a weakened team maybe what we need. Parlour/Edu etc scrapping for a win. With Henry and co - 3-1. Without the injured potentials 2-0
Get the party started My sentiments exactly!! Not that I have the chance to show up all that often. But tomorrow I'll see if I can be bothered to come home between my morning archaeology class and my afternoon linguistics class to join in the fun. No promises.
Re: Possible injuries - Henry, Keown, Campbell GvB is as good as A. Cole imo just in different ways. They are both very good wingbacks and i do not see Cafu playing around with Gio.
Hmmm. Henry and Keown and possibly Campbell out makes me think... great, let's give Jeffers and Cygan some more exercise. 2-0 romp to the Gunners.
GvB is doing brilliantly but he had a tough time against Gronkjaer on Saturday and he's only half the player Cafu is! The boys looked tired in the 2nd half against Chelsea. For once I think AW's changes only served to upset the balance and the mid-field gave up too much control to the Blues. We've got the depth to beat Roma without Sol, Thierry and Martin but, Pat has to marshall the centre of the park for 95 minutes, not for 45 like on Saturday. For me his fatigue level is the key to the game. The good news is that Gilberto was rested and should be well able to shoulder the task with him. If we score early on Roma will have to chase the game and we'll stuff em 4-1. If we don't score early then 1 goal will decide it?
OKAY, Just thinking about tinkering with the starting XI... why is it that AW never starts thierry with wiltord upfront.. wiltord always plays on the wing and not upfront.. is it because he is the same type of player and arsene thinks we need a gritty bloke upfront that will be a poacher? (i.e. jeffers) and, when is kanu gunna get a chance to showcase his skills? just curious.. phishy
SENOR, he's been on the team.. but, aside from that hat-trick against chelsea a few years back, what has he EVER done?
As far as I know DB10 will be playing today, So do you start him up front with Jeffers, Kanu or Wiltord? I'm not sure DB10 and Jeffers have the same chemistry as he would with Kanu or Wiltord. With Dennis rested, i think there's a good chance to see Kanu up front today, he may be one of the only people on the team fully rested.
Guardian Preview Here's the Guardian's preview of the match this afternoon. The probable's are not too accurate though. http://football.guardian.co.uk/Champions_League/Story/0,5764,911829,00.html I for one am somehwhat nervous about this match. Since Roma are playing so poorly in their own league, the CL is the only thing they have left playing for as opposed to Arsenal trying to win the League as well as the FA cup. Arsenal has scored only one goal in the last three games where it seems like they've been playing for ties instead of wins. Today they've got to go for a win at home and with an Ajax victory, they're through to the Quarters. I'm still unsure if i want a tie or win in the Ajax/Valencia game...any thoughts?
Re: Guardian Preview Much like Barcelona, who've been completely different teams domesticaly and in Europe. We really should win this game, but who knows?
No worries, we're of the same mind on the subject. That was my point as well. He's been with AFC for four years yet has never lived up to the potential he showed that first year. He's a much maligned figure round these parts and I am one of his chief detractors. Chance to showcase his skills indeed, the man's had about 200 chances. I maintain that it's all in the hair, his skills deteriorated with the growing of the corn rows (or whatever you call them) when he had the flat top look he was awesome. The Samson syndrome in reverse perhaps?