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

[br82186]

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

had a debate with several people over this topic but to you guys is it now time to scrap the current team and start anew?

[ZM Punk]

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

had a debate with several people over this topic but to you guys is it now time to scrap the current team and start anew?

That is the craziest thing I've ever heard.

No.

Sure we need some new additions but overall I think our core players are good enough to win the league. We just have blatant holes that the other top teams just don't have.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

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

That is the craziest thing I've ever heard.

No.

Sure we need some new additions but overall I think our core players are good enough to win the league. We just have blatant holes that the other top teams just don't have.

Totally agree. A top class goalkeeper and more help in defense is what you need, NOT a total rebuild.

[paperbag]

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

that barcelona game is going to be ugly

and i don't even like barcelona

[Laffer]

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

We're doomed.

[Krebstar]

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

that barcelona game is going to be ugly

and i don't even like barcelona

We're doomed.

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.

[Krebstar]

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

Also, in a way I'm glad we drew Barca. I'd rather exercise old demons immediately and face a tough challenge now, than advance to the last eight, only to then be beaten by Barca. If we win, it gives us incredible momentum in the competition, if we lose, we got out of a competition early that we were not going to win and can focus on the league and FA Cup.

[ImTellinTim]

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

I think Barca is playing at a level right now not seen at many times in history. They are starting to draw comparisons to some of the great teams of the past (Ajax Total Football, AC Milan of the late 80's/early 90's). Yes, they can be beaten, but it takes playing a perfect match, and I just don't see Arsenal having the type of midfield player that can consistently break up their attack. I honestly think Aresenal will do well if they match their losing margin from last year. Barca are simply better in all phases. They are basically the core of the Spain team that just won the World Cup plus the best player in the world right now. That's just unfair.

But the matches are not until February, so a lot can happen between now and then.

[Krebstar]

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

I think Barca is playing at a level right now not seen at many times in history. They are starting to draw comparisons to some of the great teams of the past (Ajax Total Football, AC Milan of the late 80's/early 90's). Yes, they can be beaten, but it takes playing a perfect match, and I just don't see Arsenal having the type of midfield player that can consistently break up their attack. I honestly think Aresenal will do well if they match their losing margin from last year. Barca are simply better in all phases. They are basically the core of the Spain team that just won the World Cup plus the best player in the world right now. That's just unfair.

But the matches are not until February, so a lot can happen between now and then.

Second leg last year we didn't have Fabregas, and with all jokes aside associated with him secretly playing for Barca, he would've helped massively.

The matches not being until February really is huge. If we have certain players fully fit then that we do not have now, we're a different team. If we go into the matches with a healthy Vermaelen, Fabregas and RVP, we're looking much different.

Plus, Nasri is playing on a different level than last year and if RVP doesn't play, that most likely means Chamakh does, which is a threat we did not have last year.

Barca are still the superior team, but just because it's a rematch from last year doesn't mean we're rolling in with the same squad. Now, they're not either, but by no means will we simply lay down. Should be fun matches to watch no matter what.

[Laffer]

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

Second leg last year we didn't have Fabregas, and with all jokes aside associated with him secretly playing for Barca, he would've helped massively.

The matches not being until February really is huge. If we have certain players fully fit then that we do not have now, we're a different team. If we go into the matches with a healthy Vermaelen, Fabregas and RVP, we're looking much different.

Plus, Nasri is playing on a different level than last year and if RVP doesn't play, that most likely means Chamakh does, which is a threat we did not have last year.

Barca are still the superior team, but just because it's a rematch from last year doesn't mean we're rolling in with the same squad. Now, they're not either, but by no means will we simply lay down. Should be fun matches to watch no matter what.

People say these matches should be fun to watch- but they aren't. It isn't fun watching the Gunners get there arse handed to them. And the only team in the world that can do it, and will do it, consistently is Barca. It might be fun for the neutrals, but this fixture last year sucked, and sucked hard. I can't remember feeling more helpless in all my years watching sports.

Cesc, he might help, and so will RVP. But honestly, those guys are borderline starters on Barca. And our best player this season (Nasri) would probably be a Barca reserve.

There is no shame in getting are *** kicked by Barca (unlike the shame we should feel by our defeat at Old Trafford), they are the class of the world. But lets not pretend that us winning would be anything other than a fluke.

[Krebstar]

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

People say these matches should be fun to watch- but they aren't. It isn't fun watching the Gunners get there arse handed to them. And the only team in the world that can do it, and will do it, consistently is Barca. It might be fun for the neutrals, but this fixture last year sucked, and sucked hard. I can't remember feeling more helpless in all my years watching sports.

Cesc, he might help, and so will RVP. But honestly, those guys are borderline starters on Barca. And our best player this season (Nasri) would probably be a Barca reserve.

There is no shame in getting are *** kicked by Barca (unlike the shame we should feel by our defeat at Old Trafford), they are the class of the world. But lets not pretend that us winning would be anything other than a fluke.

Are you sure you're not a Barca supporter?

As the Special One would say, they're fantastic, but let's not get carried away.

Also, if we beat them over two legs, even by one goal, it's not a fluke unless there was some awful calls and amazing luck on our part. Don't be so quick to demean a victory we could have before the game is even played.

Like I said, they're fantastic, but I just hope our boys don't bow down to Barca the same way our supporters currently are. Lets attempt to maintain some form of confidence in the squad.

[ImTellinTim]

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

Should be fun matches to watch no matter what.

True. There will definitely be some skill on display.

[Acid]

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

I loathe Barcelona with every fiber of my being. If we lose, I'll be devastated. If we win, it'll make my ****ing year. I'm embracing the draw, we won't do **** to squash the "can't win the big game" stigma until we play some top class sides and do well.

[Krebstar]

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

I loathe Barcelona with every fiber of my being. If we lose, I'll be devastated. If we win, it'll make my ****ing year. I'm embracing the draw, we won't do **** to squash the "can't win the big game" stigma until we play some top class sides and do well.

Precisely. It's why I'd rather just keep playing big games.

[Laffer]

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

Are you sure you're not a Barca supporter?

As the Special One would say, they're fantastic, but let's not get carried away.

Also, if we beat them over two legs, even by one goal, it's not a fluke unless there was some awful calls and amazing luck on our part. Don't be so quick to demean a victory we could have before the game is even played.

Like I said, they're fantastic, but I just hope our boys don't bow down to Barca the same way our supporters currently are. Lets attempt to maintain some form of confidence in the squad.

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.