High praise indeed from a true great of the game, also love the little pop he has at van Nistelrooy near the end of the article. Obviously shows where he les in the Henry vs van Nistelrooy debate. "I want Arsenal to win Champions League, says Cruyff Graham Hunter in Barcelona Tuesday March 16, 2004 The Guardian Johan Cruyff: 100% Gooner Johan Cruyff has said Arsenal deserve to win the Champions League and that Europe would be "proud" if its premier tournament were won by such a glorious footballing team. The Dutchman loves the verve and daring of Arsène Wenger's team but was not surprised to see Manchester United eliminated from the Champions League. "I am asked how far Arsenal can go this season," Cruyff said, "and I think they can go all the way and win the Champions League. If Arsenal win the tournament playing football the way only they know how then Europe would be proud to have such champions. "I watch Arsenal all the time and I admire their style. Already I reckon they have the title wrapped up in England and the FA Cup is there for them to win too. "In previous seasons they have played sublime football but gone out of the Champions League prematurely. This time they are at least through to the quarter-finals and that step forward can be the key for them. They have loads of players I love to watch, not just Thierry Henry but Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and José Reyes. Those guys are special footballers who raise themselves and their team above the ordinary." Yet there are still areas that leave Cruyff nervous that the Gunners may not yet have the stuff of European champions. "This season Arsenal don't make the errors they did before," he argued. "They have organised much better at the back and buying Jens Lehmann as keeper has proved to be a good move. "Nevertheless, I'm still left wondering whether they really have everything it takes to conquer Europe or whether there are some final elements lacking. There are sufficient doubts that I can't say for sure that they can win the Champions League but they are the side I hope will do it." Cruyff believes that Arsenal's flowing football has elevated them far above Manchester United. "Loads of people considered Manchester United being knocked out as the shock of the round but I was not in the least surprised," the man who won the European Cup three times as a player and once as a coach claimed. "History and tradition don't count when a team has your number and I could see from the first round that Porto had United's number. You don't win three trophies in a season - league, cup and Uefa Cup, which Porto did only months ago - if you are not top quality." And Cruyff reserved a surprising kick in the shins for Ruud van Nistelrooy. "I hope that the elimination of United from Europe and the fact that they have almost no chance of winning the Premiership mean that those at Barcelona who believe that everything would be coming up roses if they signed Ruud van Nistelrooy are thinking again," he said. "OK, he has his qualities, obviously, but the type of striker who is a big hit in England would not necessarily be a big hit over here in La Liga."
I read that in the Guardian earlier today. That comment about RvN sort of jumped out. Hey, Johan, lighten up on your fellow countryman! I guess that will mean a lot of uncomfortable moments at the pre-EURO 2004 banquet when the current squad mingles with the former players. RvN: "So, you think I'm no good for Barca, and can't play in La Liga?" Cruyff: "Without mincing words...yeah."