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

[Perceptor]

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

LOL

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/878663/abou-diaby-would-prefer-barcelona-move-over-real-madrid?cc=5901

I'd rather him go than Cesc. I'm not sure he'd get a game though behind the likes of Afellay, Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano, and Busquets

[Qb]

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

LOL

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/878663/abou-diaby-would-prefer-barcelona-move-over-real-madrid?cc=5901

I'd rather him go than Cesc. I'm not sure he'd get a game though behind the likes of Afellay, Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano, and Busquets

Fairly certain I read Diaby's ultimate personal goal is to win the Balon D'or (pardon my French if incorrect), so he's not exactly short of confidence. That sad part is if he had anything resembling health & consistency, his "world class" dreams might not be so crazy. Well World Player of the Year would be a bit of a reach, but he really could be something with his physical gifts/skills.


PS - I completely forgot about this section for a while there...

[Krebstar]

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

Final is 2-0 for our boys. Well played game, even though there were some missed chances, there were also some great saves.

Arshavin is definitely winning me over again with his new work rate and overall focus. On the other hand, Bendtner looks as if he's checked out and can't wait for a move this Summer. He's the third striker now and he definitely will never be happy unless he starts each game, so I'm more than alright with cashing in on him this Summer.

[misterbroom12]

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

Final is 2-0 for our boys. Well played game, even though there were some missed chances, there were also some great saves.

Arshavin is definitely winning me over again with his new work rate and overall focus. On the other hand, Bendtner looks as if he's checked out and can't wait for a move this Summer. He's the third striker now and he definitely will never be happy unless he starts each game, so I'm more than alright with cashing in on him this Summer.

Agree fully on the Arshavin and Bendtner comments. Arshavins work rate is all I was hoping to see improve when his form dipped, it has and he's getting back in the swing of things. I enjoy Bendtner a lot and think he could be a great player but there is no doubt that RvP is our first striker and from what Chamakh has done already this year I'd like to see him ahead of Nicklas as well. Hopefully this summer sees us make some nice money on Bendtner and Vela and helps us bring in maybe one more pacey forward like Walcott.

[ZM Punk]

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

I think the only reason Arshavin is putting in this kind of effort is because he knows his place is on the line. Which is fine with me as whatever it takes to get the guy actually playing hard is fine and dandy by me.

He just better take a seat once Nasri is fully fit. Nasri, Walcott, and RVP is our strongest side up front.

[rsnomar05]

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

I think the only reason Arshavin is putting in this kind of effort is because he knows his place is on the line. Which is fine with me as whatever it takes to get the guy actually playing hard is fine and dandy by me.

He just better take a seat once Nasri is fully fit. Nasri, Walcott, and RVP is our strongest side up front.

I don't think there is any chance Arshavin doesn't take a back seat. Wenger isn't that stupid. Hopefully Arshavin keeps up the work effort and, once Nasri returns, becomes a great sub off the bench.

[ZM Punk]

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

I don't think there is any chance Arshavin doesn't take a back seat. Wenger isn't that stupid. Hopefully Arshavin keeps up the work effort and, once Nasri returns, becomes a great sub off the bench.

I don't know. Arsene played him for 3 months when he shouldn't have been out there. Its not entirely out of the question.

[Perceptor]

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

I enjoyed the game yesterday. We easily could have won by more as we dominated Wolves. I have to say Henessy played pretty well for them. In any event, it was encouraging to see Arshavin back to his old self.

RVP is on fire. I just hope he stays healthy for the rest of the season. He's such a talent.

And even though I have a Xavi avatar, I still want the Arsenal to win But I'm sure most of you knew that already lol

Should be a great tie and I'm looking forward to watching 2 teams who play great football go at it

[Krebstar]

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

I think once Nasri is fully fit he'll absolutely start. Whether or not that means Walcott will continue to over Arshavin is a different thing.

As for the Barca tie, I'm so nervous but have an odd bit of confidence as well. They barely drew Sporting Gijon yesterday, and they're not the invincible giant that they're always been made out to be. They can be beat. Will we do it? I think we have a much better shot this year with RVP healthy and Walcott playing like he is, but we definitely still underdogs. However, I refuse to go into the game being afraid of Barca and thinking we stand no chance. If the squad does the same, it'll be the Man United game all over again.

[rsnomar05]

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

I think once Nasri is fully fit he'll absolutely start. Whether or not that means Walcott will continue to over Arshavin is a different thing.

As for the Barca tie, I'm so nervous but have an odd bit of confidence as well. They barely drew Sporting Gijon yesterday, and they're not the invincible giant that they're always been made out to be. They can be beat. Will we do it? I think we have a much better shot this year with RVP healthy and Walcott playing like he is, but we definitely still underdogs. However, I refuse to go into the game being afraid of Barca and thinking we stand no chance. If the squad does the same, it'll be the Man United game all over again.

I think we have a much better shot than last year, but I'm still really wary about our defense and wouldn't be surprised if Barca tore it apart. That being said we should be in for some really entertaining football. We cannot afford to miss some of the sitters we have had in recent matches, and if we can convert those chances, we may be able to outslug them. This definitely won't be a defensive battle.

[ZM Punk]

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

We would have a chance if Arsene didn't try to play Football with them. Barcelona is the worst possible match up for us. We play just as pretty as they do, they just have more talent.

[Krebstar]

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

We would have a chance if Arsene didn't try to play Football with them. Barcelona is the worst possible match up for us. We play just as pretty as they do, they just have more talent.

Well, Wilshere has said they're going to get "nasty" and Cesc said we gave them too much respect last year.

I think our mental approach will be very important. I expect us to go at them and not sit back and watch them play, which is why I think we have a chance. I'm sure we'll have more fouls and it's how we must play against them. Whether or not we can do that over TWO legs is a complete mystery.

[Perceptor]

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

Well our defense has a chance if Djourou plays the way he did against Wolves. The guy was pure class at the back and didn't get a wrong foot in. Plus, we're almost fully fit with the exception of Nasri.

At minimum, we need to win by 2 goals or more and it would be even better if we didn't concede an away goal. Mental toughness and leadership will be important as well as not getting complacent

I would love to see Arsenal advance, but if Barca plays up to their max, it'll be a tough ask

[Krebstar]

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

Arsene said yesterday that Nasri is physically 100%, but it's still not a certainty he'll play and at this point in the campaign he doesn't want to make a "stupid" mistake.

[ZM Punk]

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

Well our defense has a chance if Djourou plays the way he did against Wolves. The guy was pure class at the back and didn't get a wrong foot in. Plus, we're almost fully fit with the exception of Nasri.

At minimum, we need to win by 2 goals or more and it would be even better if we didn't concede an away goal. Mental toughness and leadership will be important as well as not getting complacent

I would love to see Arsenal advance, but if Barca plays up to their max, it'll be a tough ask

Wolves and Barcelona are two entirely different opponents. I'm sure your aware of that. I just don't think Djourou and most importantly Koscielny has ever played against a team with the quality of Barcelona. We will see if they are up to the challenge.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I just don't see us having much of a chance. It really is the worst possible matchup for us.