Can't wait for this game! Couple of victories under our belts and the moment of truth approaching. I think that we're in better shape than the last time we were away at Arsenal - don't you? A few key players coming back from suspension/injury too - just in time. I hope Carlo gets the chance to make amends for his nightmare last time around... COME ON YOU BLUES!
There is no doubt what so ever that we have the talent in this current team to beat them, but, as was seen at the library, anything can turn a game. I feel unusually confident about the next two games, strange as that may sound. Arsenal are on a great tear, unbeaten in the league and we're in the middle of February - fantastic achievement for any club.They are scoring freely and have shored up last seasons most glaring defensive problem, ie a once great but sadly declining Seaman. They have a world class hit man up the front and a pair in the middle that could argue a case to be included - yet for all of that we are only a mere 6 points behind them, 3 of them gifted to them by a terrible mistake. Crespo is back and hopefully Duff will play too. I would like to see.. -------------------Carlo---------------------- Melchiot---------Terry--------Gallas------Bridge Parker-------Lampard------Makelele-------Duff -----------Crespo---------------Gudjohnson------ Sullivan Huth Gronkjaer Mutu Petit I think it's fair to say, that with a squad like that, even the most ardent gooner would have to say that they could be beat. Roll on the game.... ps...side bet. The winner of this will lift the cup. No doubt in my mind about that at all.
Re: Re: FA Cup: Arsenal V Chelsea - is it OUR turn this time? It's great to know that we really CAN compete at this level now - whoever would have believed it back in the summer - what a crazy season!!! Just out of interest - I've noticed that some of the US-based gooners will be meeting up to watch this one - how about you US-blues? Are there public places (bars/pubs etc.) where you can see a big game like this Stateside and what sort of atmosphere do you get? OwG
Here in the Twin Cities, I HIGHLY doubt anyone will be showing it live on Setanta. FSW is airing it on Monday afternoon (lot of good that does those of us at work). I agree that the winner of this match will end up hoisting the Cup in Cardiff. At the moment I can't envision any scenario in which we beat them, but I'm being overly pessimistic. In the past few seasons they've avoided losing to us despite two goal deficits, playing with ten men, etc. Do hope we stuff them though, it's about time.
Re: Re: Re: FA Cup: Arsenal V Chelsea - is it OUR turn this time? http://www.ny-blues.com/ - Nevadas, a Man U bar, but also home to the New York Blues also, there is McCormacks on 3rd ave, more sedate, does a breakfast Mulligan's in Hoboken, NJ is a decent pub for games US Gooners are a bunch of langers btw
Re: Re: Re: Re: FA Cup: Arsenal V Chelsea - is it OUR turn this time? Hey Monkee - are you back in NYC these days? If so, are you going to go anywhere to watch the game? I might make it to Nevada Smiths, but it is damn early.
DC There is a usual crew of up to 10 Blues that go to Summers in Arlington regularly, nothing formal though. I'd imagine that most will show up this weekend, even for a 7:30 AM KO. Haven't run into many Blues downtown at Lucky Bar or the Penn Ave Pourhouse/Capitol Lounge. Clan - I like your team although I think CR will prefer Mutu to Guddy. Also I'd put GJ in for Melchiot. MM's defensive capabilities might be needed but I think GJ has that something special and we are going to need everything we've got to win. I've noticed that without the Duffer, CR has scrapped the diamond and now seems to be playing a 4-1-3-2 with Makelele or Petit protecting the back four, Lamps in the center of the 3 and Parker/Gronks/Cole on the sides. It's given Gronks lots of space to go inside or outside and he's exploited it in the past few matches. Wouldn't be surprised to see it again on Sunday if Duff isn't fit. I'm optimistic we can get a win at Highbury but I would obviously settle for a draw and a rematch at the Bridge.
Does anyone get the feeling that phishy comes on here because the other Arse supporters don't like him?
Re: DC \ Fair points about the middle if Duff isn't fit - which is another thing. If he's not %100 don't play him, tempting as it may be.We don't need another "Crespo", in for a half and out for a month!Lots to play for this season even if we do come back with a gallant defeat. Young Johnson. I wouldn't play him in this one to be honest, in fact i wouldn't even pit him in the squad.Not because of any skill factor or attitude problem, simply because this is a huge game and i would prefer the cooler and more expierenced head of Melchiot. This game, like so many between the very top teams in any league, will most likely be won on a supreme piece of individual brilliance from a class player, or a mistake from anyone at the most in-opportune of times.Young Johnson isn't ready to have a mistake free game just yet - imho.
Re: Re: Re: FA Cup: Arsenal V Chelsea - is it OUR turn this time? BrewHouse in Atlanta will be filled with Gooners I 'spect. (I watched the final there in 2002). I will be offline and not around any TV sets from Sunday AM until 3:00P on Monday when they show it on FSW. probably knock off early; pick up some brew and a couple of anti-Arsenal mates and watch the match at home. If I knew where Blues fans hung out in Atlanta I would head there.
I shall be at my house in the Pocono mountains - telling the wife that she needs to pick up something, anything, at the store Oh - also will be having the traditional weekend tussle with my eldest - he has this funny thing about correcting me when i say i'm watching "football" If we do reach the final i may consider a trip across to the big apple for some atmosphere.
Not a lot of people know that... (Michael Caine impersonation here) ...the first few "American Football" matches were played according to the rules of... Rugby Union. How about that? WE CAN WIN THIS ONE! (or at least the replay at Stamford Bridge if it's a draw). OwG
Really? I wasn't aware of that...then again i'm not much into American football. Massive game for us - even at this stage of the year. I do hope Ranieri plays it simple for this one, no funny formations or team selections - like last years replay- stick to a 4-4-2 or as MST stated a 4-1-3-2 if you will. I don't see a whole lot of goals in this one to be honest.
You can impress your son with your new knowledge: In the Beginning The story of football began sometime during the 19th century in England when a soccer player, frustrated at using only his feet to manipulate the ball, decided to simply pick it up and run with it. Although it was clearly against the rules of soccer, other players soon found the new way of playing soccer appealing and thus, the sport of rugby was born. The new sport soon became a world-wide success that found its way into America by the mid-1800s. Played by many northeastern colleges, it was not long before Harvard University and Yale University met in Massachussetts in 1876 to formalize the rules to rugby that were similar to those in England. There were differences however: instead of playing with a round ball, the schools opted for an egg-shaped and the game's name was changed from rugby to football (how confusing is that! OwG). To finalize the meeting, an organization called the Intercollegiate Football Association(IFA) was created to preside over the Americanized sport. Football was still mainly American rugby--much different from the popular sport known today. Over the course of three years starting in 1880, Yale player Walter Camp eventually convinced the IFA to change a series of rules in football to create a game that is very similar today. For that, Camp is considered by historians as the father of modern football. -------- So now you know! BTW, you're right Clan. No-one will be looking to make a single mistake on Sunday and big-match experience will count for a lot. I think, just from the vibes I'm picking up here, that the pressure's on the Arse this time - they seem more nervous than usual!
Ta for that, interesting to say the least. They are of course expected to win, being the home team and unbeaten etc etc etc. I think we can take them this time also - don't know why exactly, but have it anyway. last couple of seasons i always had that "ah, crap, it's Arsenal" feeling.Not this time. We have far too many players that have played on the big stage to be overwhelmed by their play. Speaking of which, i wonder just how Wenger will approach this game, tactics wise. If we are allowed room to play, move the ball around and can go the first 15 mins without letting one in we'll be off. Our biggest downfall this season has been our generally lousy starts, players seeming to take an age to settle down leading to an early goal against us.How refreshing it was to see us take the game to Pompey right from the start - Parker showed an air about his game that is most definitely English and one that i think has been missing to an alarmingly obvious degree from our "continental" style of starts. We wont see bunker ball from Arsenal, not the ay they play, simply because they don't have the team for it.They are, for the most part, an attacking team - will be interesting to see if Wenger sticks to that.
To really educate your son, perhaps you could deliver a talk based on this article: A Historical Overview of American Soccer History Then he will understand what proper football means, even in America! (of course, you may need to wake him at some point)
That's why I wanted him at Chelsea - passion like that has evidently been missing for a while. Make no mistake - Parker knows what games like this are all about. I quote the following from the Charlton programme last week, "My dad's side of the family are all Chelsea," Scott admits when asked about his blue background. "I'm sure that they're over the moon that I've joined." He'll be well up for this game if he's picked. I've always admired the commitment that players like Parlour and Keone show (and of course, Keane for ManU). I think that we had it with Denis Wise but you have to look very hard to match someone like Chopper Harris. Don't get me wrong - I have admired MarcelD as a player but... he doesn't always give the impression that he's giving 100%...
We had a few that would get up for it over the years. Wasn't it Spackman that belted keown about 10 years ago? Can't teach that stuff - has to be born into them. Players like Dechamps that come for a while are great, but........
Yes it was - late in the second half and it wasn't the usual 'handbag' stuff you seen in football either. He didn't even wait for the red card before walking off the pitch! Do we like that type of passion and involvement in a game? ...YOU BET!
Oh yes indeed, thats what it's all about. Parker could prove to be a very valuable addition to the team and may prove to be the ideal team mate in the middle for lampard and Makelele. You got a ticket for the game?