Having watched the highlights of the Real Madrid game, I have to think no. Before you all slam me and think I am a Manure fan that has sneaked into the forum, Let me tell you, I have been an Arsenal fan for more years than most of you. However, the silky skills that the Madrid players show, i.e. the little flicks to each other and even the individual skills leave me thinking that we can not possibly beat a team like them. They would leave Cygan looking like an idiot. and with the slow feet that Seaman is showing these years, they would score we could not win, However, if Henry & Co. are in true form, while we would let in a few goals, we could still score more goals. just my thoughts & ramblings of a bored office worker in NY. GOLDY
Can we win the Champions League? Yes. Will we win the Champions League? That question seems to have already been answered by one Monsiuer Thierry Henry... http://www.football365.co.uk/All_News/Premiership_News/story_60265.shtml
As for winning the Champions League, that won't be for another few seasons yet. We still have yet to adjust to the counter attack nature of Continental sides and the fact that their defences are just that little bit better than English Defences. Manure weren't European Champions overnight. They needed to learn valuable lessons about Europe on the way. We'll win, but not just yet.
The important question is "Can they improve?". I think doing better than last year is the key. It's critical that they make it to the next round. Beating Valencia to advance would be a big step forward for the club and the players. Losing, I think, could have an impact on the team's confidence and long term stability. They need to respond in Spain. If they do, every CL win thereafter will be icing on the cake. I'm not sure any team can beat Real at their best. Fortunately, they don't always play at their best. There is a chance (not that Real is the only obstacle).
I wanted to respond to this thread with some upbeat and confident statments about Arsenal, but then I realised that I haven't seen a single damn CL game this year so I have very little upon which to base my opinion. Damn dirty ESPN stunting my bigsoccer post count!!! Oh yeah, we can win it all. Why? Because I said so.
Eh, works for me. To me it just doesn't seem that Arsenal is consistent enough to win the CL. Sure, when they're on their game, they can't be touched. But losing leads and not being able to finish when they should be sure as heck doesn't help much. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong though.
The counter attack nature of continental sides? Hahahaha. Arsenals biggest weapon is their ability to counter attack very fast and having Henry and Bergkamp up front. There is no such thing as a 'counter attack nature of continental sides'. Not anymore than Arsenal do anyway.
PS. Although I agree that Arsenal is a very strong side they are still very vulnerable. I don't see them winning the CL this year. Simply not strong enough. But the potential is absolutely there. A bit more tactical power might help.
We dont seem to be improving in this competition. Though we made the quarters for a first time last year our attitude towards the tournament is whats NOT improving. If we make the quarters, and I think we should, I dont believe we are going to go any further unless we act like its an important trophy. It seems that the treble is too difficult for teams and they must concentrate on one competition domestic or Euro. In this I would rather win the double at home and it seems Arsenal agrees.
Well said. It would be interesting to see the smack that the ManUre fans would run after we have a domestic double and they have the CL. If that's how it works out. I really hope they win ******************-all. But that's just me. Vive le AFC! OPArsenal
I think that we can win the Champions League this year. It is often said that we can beat any team on our day, but that is true of most of the teams left in the competition. So we shoudln't be afraid of anyone in the quarter finals. If we can get a result against Valencia next week, we could conceivably win the competition with four draws and a win. People are getting hung up on Real Madrid, but I've seen a lot of them this season with the excellent Champions League and La Liga coverage here in England. Now, they have the best attacking talent in the world. No question. But their defence is distinctly ordinary. The key is to get at them with a powerful midfield performance. And before you start wondering what I'm on about, yes a few kicks on Zidane and Figo early doors would suit just fine. You need to earn the right to play before your skills can shine through, it's the same from non-league football to the World Cup final. I do agree with AFCA, if by "A bit more tactical power might help" you mean that we seem to run out of ideas when things are going against us. Instead of resorting to the long ball, I'd like to see Wenger try something else, like leaving Bergkamp on and sticking Henry on the left (Where he spends most of his time anyway) and bring on Jeffers when we need some extra attcking thrust. Just one example of a something different that might help us when tactics need to be changed, rather than bringing on Kanu and playing Wimbledon style.
Not unless we improve upon our recent home form. Losing stupid away goals if we get to the knockouts is where we'll ************ up.