Salute Scolari!

I said when this site was born that as the world cup gets closer I'd talk a little about it. The apparent/imminent/rumoured appintment of Big Phil Scolari after the WC seems damn big enough to me.

He's by far the most successful international manager of the last half decade at least. And when was the last time a manager won the world cup and then got to the next Euros final? I think France had different guys in charge in 1998 and 2000. Aime Jacquet and Roger Lemerre I think.

Scolari has stugots as well! He'll drop beckham if he's playing badly (see Figo). He won't play Lampard and Gerrard together if he can't balance a side, although he can fit Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho in the most unbalanced and worst Brazil side in a long time and still walk away with footballs biggest prize.

He's won everything at domestic level, including the south american champions league (libatedores i think) which is a touch better than Steve 'Carling Cup' McClaran and the other nobodys being touted.

He punches journalists...bring on the tabloids and the fascist Jeff Powell from the Daily Mail!

Yeah, it'd be lovely and patriotic and flag waving (xenophobic??) if it were an Englishman, but we as Arsenal fans should konw more than anyone else that its what they do on the pitch, not what it says on their passport. Sod this 'doesn't encourage English bosses' bullshit, would you rather we didn't qualify for Euro 2008 but said 'at least he was English'?? NO!!!!!!!!! We'd rather win it with Big Phil!

Fair play to the F.A for finally handling something right. And especially well done toDavid Dein who has rallied for him all along! Do you think he said 'look, I employed Arsene Wenger and look where thats taken my medium/large sized club'??

I'm off to put some money on us for 2008 due to the fact we'll have a balanced, tactically aware and determined side and a manager that can actually CHANGE TACTICS and MAKE CHANGES as the game goes along!

He's simply the best for the job.

COME ON YOU GOOOONERS!

Phew, the coursework marathon is over...hopefully for the last time, unless I do something foolish and apply to do a Ph.D in Law, errrr; NO!

Anyway, tonight is huge. Ive driven half the width of the UK today but Ive never been so restless, 90 MINUTES FROM PARIS!

Its gonna be tense, nervous, irritating (dives and home crowd!) and possibly just the best night in the clubs recent history. Please let us have a referee as hard-ass as the last one, we need him again tonight!

The line up itself is quite obvious for both teams, Tachinnardi is out for them, but that won't change their tight game plan whatsoever. As the clock ticks down they'll obvious start to throw things forward, but I'm hoping an away goal will appear for us before 60 minutes to effective say goodnight to Spain, but BONJOUR to France!

Everyone knows just how huge this game is so I'm not going to waffle on anymore, everyone knows whats at stake and this is simply the biggest game of the season.

I have a feeling Eboue may be important tonight, lets just hope its at the Villareal end!!

It's 90 minutes & 213 miles to Paris, we've got Mad Jens in goal, we've got Thierry Henry up front, it's dark and and they're wearing yellow....


HIT IT

Come on you Goooooooners!!!

Villareal Preview

Right, this is going to be extremely quick as the coursework seems to be flowing today, and its so rare that this happens that I simply can't pass up this opportunity until 7:30 tonight!

Lots has been said about Villareal and Riquelme. They are a very hard working eleven with a truly world class player that can change games. Great, so are we. I respect them a lot for having the balls to build a team around one player but if this premiership pace Wenger is talking about does appear, I believe we should be alright on the night. The important thing is to stop them scoring, simple to say but as they are the kings of away goal progression, its essential. Even a 0-0 tonight could benefit us with the counter attacking approach we take to the Continent.

Again, I'm tempted to write some awful pun about 'Yellow Submarines' and it being 'A Hard Days' Night,' but that would be childish. However, I reckon 'We can work it out' and get a 2-0 this evening. Dammit, couldn't help myself!

Much much more tomorrow, but its back to the word processor for me.

COME ON YOU GOOOONERS!

Ar-Sol

I was going to start this post about a T-shirt I once saw with 'Our-Sol' on the front of it, a brilliant dig in the ribs to the fact that we burgled Spurs' best player from them whilst paying transfer fee at all. Then I thought about a certain game against West Ham, the things he has been saying and then this went off in my head..............................................

'Thats it! I've solved it! Its a simple case of flogging Sol Campbell at the end of the season and offering his wages to TH14. Whilst I recognise that its all about 'sporting ambition,' an extra £90,000 a week can't hurt can it?!

The simple fact is: I can't stand Sol Campbell anymore.

Whenver he dons our colours, I shall support him, but having let everyone down when he should have been a leader is unnacceptable. For this reason he shall receive the same level of support that Pascal gets when he plays; its the 'praying he doesn't mess up/go home/cry' type rather than the 'I want him to do well so badly that he could be a relative' kind. I know this should have been written months ago, but this site didn't exist then, so his first game since The Arse Clubs' creation is as good a time to vent as any other.

I accept Sol Campbell has his uses. He used to be a brilliant Centre Half and even at Spurs, you could tell he was a great defender. In fact, I can't think of any other British player I wanted filling the Adams sized whole in our back four. But I want that Sol Campbell. I recognise that (some) footballers have emotions and indeed aims, but all he talked about until last weekend was England this and England that. England don't pay his wages, we do. And I mean WE. It's WE after all who buy shirts and pay ticket prices. We're entitled to effort and respect at least.

I think having Sol in the squad next year can be of benefit. Look how much Kolo has come on whilst Sol has been there. Of course Kolo is a brilliant athelete, but was never a natural centre half. Sol has had an influence on his dramatic improvement and for that he deserves praise.
Campbell is still one of the superstar names of this Arsenal squad, but I'm glad Wenger (effectively) said Senderos is first choice. Sol thinks he is far better than he actually is. Or at the very least, thinks he is still as good as he once was.

Having him in the squad would be excellent, I still believe that. To have him as the experienced of 4 (possibly 5 after the summer) centre backs, would give depth where we haven't had it since the 90's. Kolo and Big Phil as first choice, Djourou and Campbell as the second line. This gives us 2 pacy, 'recovery-type' defenders and 2 old school reader types. Adding someone of the 24-28 years age bracket won't hurt either. Especially if the Cyganator is put out of his misery come June/July.

So, I'm not a fan of Solzeer. He was once great, and time catches up with everyone, but its 'World Cup, World Cup, World Cup' with him. And that, whilst a noble aim, isn't what Club football is about. If he accepts a lesser, squad role, then great, keep him on less wages. Yet I cannot see past the sheer selfishness of walking out and not respecting his employers. Ashley Cole wants to go to Germany, hell, apparently he wants to leave the club, but he's talked more of Arsenal than Sol has.

I wish him well tomorrow against Pompey and in any other game he plays for us, but Enough is Enough. I suggest a more realistic role for a proud, declining player or a kick out the door with wages that can be put to better use, especially in a World Cup year where everyone is in the shop window.'

.............................And I realised just how right I was to rename the coloumn.

So, its time to grow up or get out Ar-Sol.

See you soon.

Knackered...

European hangovers....nasty. I get them when I drink too much Premium lager from the continent, but I think quaifying for the semis' of the Champions Legaue may be a bit tougher on the body and mind. With that consideration, it is understandable that we came back from travelling to the form team in the country empty handed.

I feel psychology played a large part in the game too; by leaving out your best player you are inviting the others to already think the game is a lost cause or not really that important. Its how I honestly feel. I said to myself upon hearing the line up that 'if we drop points in one place it may as well be here,' 'its good he's resting him for Europe' and so on.

If it had that effect on me, what will it do to the players? I'm not faulting the boys for effort, but I think in the subconscious somewhere, the resting of Thierry had an effect. But by resting him, the moral won't be as low as a usual defeat to United with a full strength team. This definately has more potential for 'bounceback-ability' than the Riley enduced farce that ended the greatest unbeaten run ever.

I believe it will prove to be a masterstroke as we qualify for the Champions League Final in May and pinch 4th place. Its not without its risks, but like always, most of us believe Wenger is right.

Again, whilst game reports can be left to other sites, I was pondering a few things. Just how does Adebayor run that fast when his legs seem to move that slow? I think its something to do with the fact he only needs four strides to everyone elses 6! Seriously, I keep forgetting he is 21 and I do believe that even if not as individually talented as some of our other forwards, he will play an important role for the team in years to come.

Also, remember how we said the how burden of captaincy was restraining Henry at the beginning of the year?
Well, it has the opposite effect on Gilberto. In the Doncaster Carling Cup game as captain he scored the winner and yesterday he seemed to revel in the role and produced a brilliant performance. Ok, a brilliant Gilberto performance isn't as eye catching as a brilliant Henry performance, but it certainly heightened his game. Couple that with the fact he is now bringing his Champions Legaue style game to the Premiership and he is fully justifying his inclusion right now. And even with a lack of options due to injury this year, its not something we could have said about the first part of his season is it!?! Perhaps its the maturing of Cesc that allows him to concentrate on the defensive aspects, but he is playing better and his passes are actually find team mates too!

Right, the University coursework marathon begins today. Whilst many of you would think that means the site will be updated less in that time, I promise you it means much more content being added due to any old excuse to get me away from Law Masters books with sucg enthralling names as 'International Commercial Disputes in English Courts' and 'Integration of European Competition Law.' Oh the fun....


See you soon....

Potent Potential!

Professional...Blah
Focused...Blah
Workman-like...Blah
Disciplined...Blah.
Gritty...Blah.

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah!!!

I don't care that we didn't quite scale last weeks heights & that the press are focusing on Juventus' awful performances. We're in the Semi's of the biggest club competition in the world for the very first time. Did the media expect us to go out and not care about our 2 goal lead? Again, I don't care, we are there and we've avoided Barca and Milan until the Final...If we get there.

A lot has been said already of Villareal being the easy route, but at this stage its simply not the case. If that is true, Villaareal have just as much of a right to say the same thing about us not being up to the Milanese or Catalunian's quality. By now, no game will be easy so enough talk of easy games and booking flights to Paris please!
I seem to remember people talking about Chelski already having got to the final at this time last year as they 'only' had Liverpool in the semi's - a team they'd already beaten that season in a cup final - and look where it got them! We have earned ourseleves a lot of credit for getting to this stage in a transitional season, but again, we're in the last FOUR, not the final, not the winners podium with all that pretty ticker tape and confetti, but the last FOUR...thats it.

Last night was amazing. I talked before the game about the attitude in this new side and it really did ring true again. Surely you couldn't ask for more in a 2 leg game against Serie A's best...
Giving them a footballing lesson at home and then being gritty and solid away. What more do you want?? We owned them again last night!

So Pat left to win the Champions League? When we got dealt Juve in the draw, I was more confident than I should have been, resulting in what I thought was a 50-50 chance of going through. But for him to be humiliated by his old club that he left in search of this very trophy, must really sting. How is he going to be feeling today? hehehe!

In a way, I think Vieira's leaving has helped in Europe. With Pat in the team, everything went through him, and our failure in Europe can be seen as part of this...Stop Vieira, Stop Arsenal. But selling him meant we needed a new distribution system. See how our full backs give Jens plenty more options as no one can rely on Vieira anymore. Now, teams cannot stop us by stopping one man. In Europe especially - but with signs of it sneaking into the league - having more than one defensive outlet has obviously given us more success. For this, Wenger must be credited again.

So, an amazing amazing performance, we've shown we have the ingredients for the total package. Outplayed at Highbury and outfought in Italy. With what is now the best Champions Legaue defence ever, a rejuvenated midfield adapting to responsibility and the worlds best striker up top, we are going places. Add in the average age of the outfield players to boot and the potential for this side is scary.

On a final note, if you add up the cost of our back 5 and contrast it with the price of the attacking talent we've faced against Madrid and Juventus, can anyone come up with another manager capable of getting success at this price? NO is the resounding answer to that!

I'm beginning to get a very funny feeling about this trophy you know....

Champions League? STILL Havin' A Laugh!

Now there are many things I shall discuss in more detail tomorrow including;
Pat Vieira leaving to win the CL,
The awesome away support in Turin,
The supposed 'easy' route to the final
and Superstitions...

But for now it is important that I celebrate by getting drunk. Its worked so far in every knock out game in this seasons competition so I'm going to do my part to get us to Paris in May! SALUT!

WE ARE THE ARSENAL!

Juventus Preview (Away)

Our European campain takes us over to Italy tonight, as I'm sure a few of you may well have realised!
Through the news wires, 'Lilly' Thuram is talking of hurricaines and storms: Far be it from me to comment but I'd be more concerned about the football tonight Lilian!
I think its fair to say that Juventus will be wily old scroats tonight. In the first leg, all their experience and medals didn't do much against our super charged kiddies but I have a feeling that sly kicks and pokes will be in abundance this evening. Expect elbows and obstructions bordering on illegal for however long the match takes.
I'm also quite pleased that after my rant about away goals last time, the only affect they can have on us now is a positive one. Especially when I got a mullering on Arsenal America for saying they are only relevant if they are scored and its a draw on aggregate. As I said, I never doubted my sage like prophecy, oh no!

Seriously though, after my cliche ridden splurge yesterday, I'd like to add one more...The first goal in this game is essential. If we score it, Juventus need 4, if they score it, another after that means its back to square one. A lot of people say we may lose our bottle if we concede early, but you don't jointly hold the CL record for clean sheets with the potential to break it tonight by having no bottle! With 'sensitive types' like Sol and Ash in the side, I'd be inclined to agree with these bottle theorists if we played our old first choice defence. However, what this new defence lacks in big names, it makes up for in attitude. The same goes for all the emerging players; you only need to see FC15 v PV4 last week for evidence of that!

We're obviously going to start with our 4-5-1 system, rumours showing Freddie not Bobbie to start, whilst there can be no arguments with the formation its possible to see why Bob is annoyed. But its a squad game nowadays and Ljungbergs legs and attitude will be invaluable away from home in our most important game of the season.

Prediction time then....
I'm going for a score draw tonight. I think Juventus may score first but as they go searching for that second goal, gaps will appear at the back and we all know that we're not exactly a slow team on the counter attack! No matter the score though, if we get a goal tonight, I can't see how Juventus will get four past a defence that hasn't conceded in that many European games.
Its time to seal the deal and whilst I'd happily take a 1-0 loss in the Deli Alpi, this team won't set out to defend all night and we will score!

Come on You GOOOOOONERS!

Cliches Anyone?

A great last week of football by anyone's standards really. By annihilating the runaway leaders of Serie A and then following it up with a dynamic performance in the league with no real sighting of a European hangover, we really are beginning to come together at the right time of the season. Cliches being thrown around include 'a marathon not a sprint,' 'peaking at the right time,' 'Coming to the boil' and 'tortoise and the hare' yet they are pretty much true of our form lately and the effect it can have on our season.Possibly the most important thing to come out of the Juve and Villa games is the 3 points against the Brummies and the dropping of points by teams around us. Banking on winning the Champions League when 2-0 up at half time in the QF is 'putting all your eggs in one basket' and surely a better way for certain Champions League football at the Grove is to finish in the top 4 and then win the relevant qualifiers. Not only do we have a game in hand against Spurs, but there is also the small matter of them coming to THOF for the last time. However, if our home form carries on, surely its 3 points and personally, I'm more worried about Blackburn and Bolton than I am about 'them down the road.' Look back at the beginning of the season: If you'd have offered the Cock(erel)s UEFA Cup football they'd have taken it and thats what I think they'll get. No Champions League for us would not be pleasant but UEFA for them would mean a good season. In pursuit of the most cliches in one post ever, I offer you 'one mans' crock of shit is another is another mans' pot of gold.' Surely a record equalling attempt??Anyway, last week was important, this week could be even more so. If we get knocked out in Turin and lose to the Plastic Mancs whilst those around us pick up points, we're back where we were in December really. So, our season can disappear as quickly as it arrived, I don't believe that will happen, but it shows you how quickly things can change.Til' tomorrow when hopefully we'll have some injury news about Cesc and the man who was favourably compared to a Brazilian who has a name like an STD but was really rather good in his day (Garrincha for those venereal disease fans). More of that and also on Juve and Thierry Henry's strike partners.See you then....