If only Arsenal would always play like that in Europe…! I don’t want to get overconfident, since in the past we’ve had a nasty habit of conceding late goals and settling for draws in matches we really should have won… But last night was beautiful. It’s not common to see Inter lose like that in the San Siro.
I think what was most encouraging about that display was Arsenal’s ability to cope without several key players–especially Vieira. I was also pleased to Kanu and Cygan, who were at times dreadful last season, putting in some good performances.
I just hope Henry stays fit–I don’t think anyone can substitute for him. However, I would like to see more of Aliadiere–maybe instead of Wiltord (his absence didn’t seem to be felt last night!).
Ivar I hope Vieira, Bergkamp and Lauren/Keown is back for the Moscow game, I hope Edu gets to play though.
IMO Cygan made the same mistakes he made this spring, but Cole, Campbell and Toure stopped it from getting dangerous. I will be much happier when we get Keown or Toure back in the central defence.
When I think about the game now Cole deserved more praise, he got one assist and because Inter played with 3 strikers he had to stop Martins mostly by himself which he did.
I don’t think Arsenal is too dependent on Henry when we have an injury free first team, but now that we do miss them Henry is what keeps us on top.
I don’t know why but Italian teams don’t put as much pressure on the oppositions midfielders as PL teams do. That meant that Parlour who lost the ball almost every time against Spurs now looked like a world class midfielder. My theory is that this is the reason Veron never was anywhere close to being as good for Man U as he was in Italy. If anyone could tell me why Italians play like this I or have a theory I would like to know.
I think you’re doing the right thing by acknowledging that midfield tactics are crucial, and that Milan getting that wrong doesn’t make the Arsenal performance “great”. Instead, it makes Zaccheroni’s tactics disastrous and Arsenal a team that was allowed to be great (on the night).
Had I seen the game I’d probably also question the “great” part, as the last 10 minutes were meaningless but left the biggest impression.
Instead, I’d take away the last ten minutes of Tuesday (because Milan were chasing the game and then gave up – it doesn’t help a tactical analysis) and compare the two legs. Thus we have:
Milan won 3-0 in London, and the Gooners won 2-1 in Milan (after dominating much of the game).
Then we discount the utter bollcoks spoken by both managers (because they’re keen to deflect blame away from themselves by telling us how good the opposition were, and how football is just inexplicable sometimes, etc, etc).
Conclusion: Wenger got it spectacularly wrong at Highbury and Zaccheroni got it spectacularly wrong in Milan – so yep, (back to your point), putting pressure on the Gooner midfield has to be important, and Milan didn’t do it (apparently).
But when did an Italian team at home play five in midfield and hope to score on the break (which is what you’re inferring) – especially when they need a result as well ?
See, you’re suggesting Milan at home should have done what Spurs did at Highbury: what happened to home advantage, what would the fans say . . . ?
London_Calling I don’t think this is usefull as long as you haven’t seen the match. Eurosport shows one CL match several times the following days, if you have Eurosport you could see if it is Arsenal’s game.
Inter used a normal Italian tactic where you minimize the space behind you and as a result don’t put much pressure on the oppositions midfield. It has worked against better teams than Arsenal. Which is why the performance was great even if you don’t consider the last 10. Arsenal not only played their way thru a very good defence twice, but also denied Inter any real chances, they only got a lucky deflected shot.
Got to be worth a punt on Man Utd - they still have the edge over the fulham broadway rapists (alright they’re on loan, but we know where they picked up the habit).
Re: THFC and cups. I have been in THFC’s trophy room and there is much more in there than a white carpet. It’s absolutely rammed with cups and trophies. I have absolutely no idea what they’re for though.
THe simple fact for the gooners is that they aer at the moment a selling club. They need the money for the stadium.
THis could all pan out rather wonderfully:
Real come in with a derisory bid for henry (eg £15m). Wenger says no way. David dein says, sorryy arsene, no player is bigger than the club. Takes said derisory offer. Wenger goes of in a huff (or possibly a mercedes). Wenger takes continetal job. Wenger poaches all AFC’s good players for bobbins, leaving Toure, wiltord and pikey-parlour. AFC spend money on Ashburton Grove. AFC team is mid table mediocrity. AFC newfans take their jesters hats back to Saracens RFC. Ashburton grove gets crowds of 15,000 (like they used to).
Well, I believe Spurs are looking for a new manager . . .
btw, I’m hoping Spurs vs. His Sourness will be the live game on the Spanish mystery channel on Saturday afternoon. I need to get on top of this because I could turn up and it’s some nonsense like Sam’s Coach Tours vs. Rooney FC. . . must have a web site, somewhere . . .
and only the most wifully blind gooner who would believe that they wouldn’t!
Seriously; if Woolwich got an offer in for Henry or any of their players they would take it. As things stand the stadium could literally kill the club, and is a continuing source of weakness.
Dein would take the view that they can always replace personnel, but the primary task of his board is to secure the long term future of the club by moving (yet again - the stadium’s on wheels so when the men from the council come they can move onto another site).
So yes he would sacrifice Henry and if necessary wenger to get the dosh.
Good grief, I have no idea what any of that means!
I agree it’s not going to be Spurs but I don’t know what channel it is they have in El Boozer. Saturday 3.00pm . . . it could be:
Wolves v Newcastle Utd or
Charlton v Leeds Utd or
Bolton v Everton
Or, if I lived in Sweden, Crystal Palace v Coventry – stand by your beds, Stockholm!
Just need to work out what station I’m tuned into . . handy site though, Owl. Cheers.
As regards the Gooners. Getting into the last 16 helps enormously (if they make it). From then on, every round lightens the financial burden a little more. It’s all very well having great assets but every business needs cash flow, them more than most.
According to some sources, Arsenal were offered £75m by Chelsea for Henry in the summer and turned it down. Certainly, there’ve been bullish statements that they wouldn’t sell for £100m.
While I don’t believe any player is irreplaceable or cannot have a price put on their head, I’ve seen the damage caused by clubs sinking into mediocrity. Without a team or a manager that is capable of winning the crowds will not be there to fill a new ground.
Arsenal need to balance both goals. Build a successful team to keep revenue coming in and bums on seats, and spend that revenue moving to a new ground.
Ditto what Crusoe said. If it were Pires or even Ljunberg we were talking about then i think the club would take a “we’ll they can be replaced” attitude and sell.
For Henry though? Never. At least not until we’ve managed to track down another striker who can actually find the back of the net occasionally.