***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Are you sure you watched the games last year? Last year's first leg was a fluke. If we play great, and win, awesome. But I don't like our chances- honestly, I think last years squad would beat this years handily, whereas Barca just keeps playing at that high level.

It's far too hard to say right now if we have a better squad than last year as a whole, because we're only in December. But last year we didn't have Wilshere and Nasri emerging and putting on consistent quality performances.

You're only happy if we play great and win? If we grind out a draw, say 2-2 vs Barcelona like last year, it's a fluke? We must win easily? We can't show character by pulling out points when adversity strikes?

If that is what you're saying, then you're setting insane standards for this squad.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Fabregas: 'We are scared of losing in big games."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/19/arsenal-cesc-fabregas-fear

I'm glad to see something like this, because it shows they know there is an issue. Now, fix it.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think we keep it fairly close. We're a much more physical team this year, and to think we learned nothing from last year would be foolish.

You would also think we would have learned something from being beaten by United and Chelsea soundly the last few years too. But we haven't.

I expect Arsene to once again go out and try to play with them and get beaten soundly.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Another huge test for this team coming up tomorrow. Gonna try to be positive but its kind of hard to be with the record we have in these games recently. Just glad the game is on ESPN as I'm at my parents until Tuesday and they don't have FSC and I hate watching soccer on streams.

Prediction

Drogba 2
Arsenal 1

[Mo]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Another huge test for this team coming up tomorrow. Gonna try to be positive but its kind of hard to be with the record we have in these games recently. Just glad the game is on ESPN as I'm at my parents until Tuesday and they don't have FSC and I hate watching soccer on streams.

Prediction

Drogba 2
Arsenal 1

If I felt Drogba was 100% recovered from Malaria, I would agree with you, but I'll give it to Arsenal.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

To be safe I think I'll pick us to win, but I won't at all be surprised if we lose. That covers it all, yes?

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Wenger on Cesc heading into today's match:

"It is hard to overcome [mentally] if you have a recurrence of an injury because it plays a part until you get rid of it completely by reassurance. But Cesc has two more weeks of practise behind him and in the last two or three days, he has looked sharp."

Hopefully he can play a huge role and lead us to three points. Three, please.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Great first half so far. The goal was due to horrible defense by Chelsea, but Arsenal have looked dangerous all game. Let's hope they don't blow it in half two.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Great first half so far. The goal was due to horrible defense by Chelsea, but Arsenal have looked dangerous all game. Let's hope they don't blow it in half two.

3 - Nil to the Arsenal, no blowing it from here.

I don't care if all three have been due to Chelsea mistakes, they're making mistakes due to how we're playing. The second goal was setup by RVP not quitting even when on his ***.

Now, let's keep scoring.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

3 - Nil to the Arsenal, no blowing it from here.

I don't care if all three have been due to Chelsea mistakes, they're making mistakes due to how we're playing. The second goal was setup by RVP not quitting even when on his ***.

Now, let's keep scoring.

Yeah, their defense was terrible, but we were relentless and, you're right, never gave up on any play (of course if Arshavin was out there, it would have been a different story). And it should have been 4-1, but Diaby was too afraid to use his left foot.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Yeah, their defense was terrible, but we were relentless and, you're right, never gave up on any play (of course if Arshavin was out there, it would have been a different story). And it should have been 4-1, but Diaby was too afraid to use his left foot.

Yeah, I actually took a nap when he got that ball, then woke up and he was about to shoot.

As for Arshavin, I'm glad he didn't start. We definitely had everyone going all out and his refusal to chase down balls could've hurt us.

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

A great win this afternoon! It made my Christmas extra special watching Chelsea make all those blunders. To be fair, we had control of that game and Chelsea only started threatening after we put 3 past their keeper

Walcott's pace helped and overall the constant pressing of their defense caused forced them into mistakes. I'm just glad and to be honest, relieved that we beat a rival. Now I hope we can build on this and continue our rise to the top

As for Chelsea, they're a mess. They lack depth and experience in their bench. While guys like Ballack, Carvalho, Joe Cole, and Deco were getting on a bit, they helped make Chelsea dangerous and strong. With Kakuta, Ramires, and Kalou, well, let's just say they're not as threatening.

Kakuta looked awful too - wasn't this the guy Chelsea almost had a transfer embargo imposed on them for? ROFL

[baccVols]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

never been much of a soccer fan til recently but ive adopted Arsenal as my favorite team....

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

A great win this afternoon! It made my Christmas extra special watching Chelsea make all those blunders. To be fair, we had control of that game and Chelsea only started threatening after we put 3 past their keeper

Walcott's pace helped and overall the constant pressing of their defense caused forced them into mistakes. I'm just glad and to be honest, relieved that we beat a rival. Now I hope we can build on this and continue our rise to the top

As for Chelsea, they're a mess. They lack depth and experience in their bench. While guys like Ballack, Carvalho, Joe Cole, and Deco were getting on a bit, they helped make Chelsea dangerous and strong. With Kakuta, Ramires, and Kalou, well, let's just say they're not as threatening.

Kakuta looked awful too - wasn't this the guy Chelsea almost had a transfer embargo imposed on them for? ROFL

My criticism about them for awhile now is they've refused to build for the future and it's starting to finally show. Top clubs that have, Arsenal and United. There is a vast difference in the depth of those teams right now compared to Chelsea. It's nice to see things such as not focusing much on youth and development start to bite someone in the ***.

As for Arsenal, if we don't beat Wigan, then the Chelsea win will mean nothing.

never been much of a soccer fan til recently but ive adopted Arsenal as my favorite team....

Welcome aboard!

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

All the pundits in England pretty much saying the only reason we beat Chelsea was because of the turmoil and bad form is really pissing me off. Heaven forbid an English commentator giving Arsenal any credit for totally dominating the defending champions.