Djourou played well last season. He's shorn of confidence this season though, as he hasn't had a consistent run-out, and let's face it, he's 4th choice behind Verminator, Kos, and the BFG. I'm just glad I don't have to see Squillaci.

As much as he said he was going to be aggressive, he absolutely played it safe, tried to nick an away goal, and take it home to the Emirates. 2-1 loss would have been acceptable, even 3-1 maybe. I have faith we can knock 2 goals past AC Milan at home.

4-0? Unacceptable. Hope he fields everybody against Sunderland, FA Cup is all we have now.

Also - rampaging, supremely confidence AC Milan side is not what I saw against Udinese, who caved at the Friuli simply due to injuries (Isla and Di Natale in the same game? Oh dear). We just simply folded in on ourselves after KP Boateng spanked the first goal past Szczesny.


Jon - thoughts on AVB? Think he'll stay, with Roman and his famously twitchy trigger finger? AVB has not addressed any of the club's weaknesses.
The defense is in SHAMBLES, Terry or not, Cahill is misused, Luiz is a playstation character, Torres is a joke, Cole is injured, Essien is horrible (is he still playing?), Bosingwa is one of the worst defenders I've ever seen in my life (and as a Gunner we know all about shitty defenders), etc. etc. etc. In fact, I personally think the only shining light on the Chelsea squad is Juan Mata.

Well you're right about the team that played at Udinese at the weekend, but let's not forget, Milan had injuries of their own. This was a Milan side short Boateng, Van Bommel, and Ibrahimovic. 3 players equally decisive in the victory over Arsenal last night. Van Bommel was the link between defense and attack for Milan last night, and played his holding midfield sentry role very well. Rarely caught in possession, very few loose passes, and he squeezed Arsenal's midfield into making mistakes. And Ibrahimovic out, well for me, he was the man of the match Tuesday night. He only scored from the spot yes, but his movement, his passing and just his presence made a world of difference. Arsenal defense had no answer for him. Kevin Prince was out the Udinese game as well, and he's proving his worth time and again. Amazing technique with that volley for the opening goal. You're right too, Arsenal looked shell shocked, and deflated after Prince sunk the ball past your keeper, but that was the trigger for Milan to play with their tails up. They could have easily still been in the game 1-0 down, and as you said, finished the game maybe 2-1, take that away back to the Emirates, but Arsenal looked defeated even before halftime.

You'd be right about that, I'd say Juan Mata has been a gem for us this season. Danny Sturridge has been pretty good as well, but he's a bit inconsitent and has now come out and showed his frustrations with the club and manager for being played out of his natural position, which means he could move out this summer, which would be a huge loss. So many problems at the club, but you've hit mostly all of them. Essien's not the sentry he used to be, Lamps' age showing, Torres STILL wayward in front of goal, Bosingwa should be playing for Wolves, and the manager looks like he has no answer. I'd like to say that AVB will stay, but with rumors swirling of Guus Hiddink returning, Jose Mourinho suggesting he might return to the Prem after he leaves Madrid, Roman might get ancy and sack AVB after this season. I think he will be sacked if we finish out of the top four. It's a shame really, because I think he could be a great manager, but as we all know, the Prem is a different beast compared to Portugal, it takes something really special to have great success your first go round. We're still in the FA and Champions League, but I think there's a very real chance there won't be any silverware for Chelsea this season. It's easy for me to come to terms with that, but we have an owner who expects to win championships every season, sometimes it just doesn't work that way.

THIS. Boateng has a huge impact on the team on and off the field, so with him back things where looking good before the game. I too agree Arsenal looked shell shocked just after the 1st goal. As a Milan fan, i never thought RvP stood that great of a chance throughout the game with T. Silva waiting for him, i firmly believe Silva is one of the best center backs out there right now.

on the return leg i see Arsenal scoring 1 mayyyybe 2 goals but Milan WILL score as well. looks like the EPL is going out this champions tourny at the hands of 2 Italian teams....who said Italian football was boring :eekdance:, slowly but surely they are stepping it up and not just playing the known defense italian football they are known for.

Italian football was never boring to me. I loved watching Udinese play for the past few seasons. Di Natale is one of the few players I thoroughly enjoy watching in the Serie A (I actually really want an Udinese jersey, but I'm broke and need to conserve money now).

I've also had a soft spot for Fiorentina for years. Never really a powerhouse team, but they've been fairly easy on the eyes in recent seasons as well. Jovetic is the man this season, but there were years where Gilardino was actually good! (I even have an '08 Fiorentina home jersey :tup:)

I'd agree with you. It's not exactly what it was in the 80s and early 90s, but Serie A is quietly making a comeback.

You guys are right except Inter is still playing boring football!:P Forza Milan!

:icon18:, :iagree:

ouch

Has Andr Villas-Boas Been Sacked Yet? NO.

it gets harder for me to wake up to watch the arsenal every week.

I'm happy I did not have to wake up early to watch today.

That's really the only positive I can take.

Down by a goal, but it is a crucial away goal. Could prove pivotal in the tie. One more half to play in Italy.

Chelsea are really poo. Napoli are great on the counter, but their defense was woeful.

That Chelsea couldnt score doesn't auger well for a return leg when they'll really have to attack. Napoli are made to play as an away team & hit on the break. I can see them getting a couple goals.

they're still in a better position than arsenal.

i can't be the only one bemused by arshavin, park, chamakh, and benayoun ALL featuring for the reserve side, can i?

Match Report: Basel 1-0 Bayern Munich - Goal.com

awwwwwwww yeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

God dammit.

The Real Madrid-CSKA Moscow match was fun to watch.

I have no idea if I was watching it live last night, or if it was a recent replay, but was awesome.

Moscow tied it on literally the last play of the game.

And Ronaldo missed so many golden opportunities, the fact that RM didn't win can pretty much be placed on his shoulders, although he did have their only goal.

That game was live at noon yesterday so you saw the replay. Good game regardless of when you watched lol

I don't pay attn to the schedules, or the format, or the standings. I just love plopping on my couch and going, "hmm, what's on Fox Soccer Channel?" Whether it's Champions, Premiere, or Serie A, I can watch for hours.

I think what I like the most about it is the distinct lack of commercial interruption. It's just game.

Unlike the NFL, which I also love... But I hate this sequence... Touchdown, commercial, Xtra point, commercial, kickoff, commercial... :facepalm:

the worst part of it all is: the results had all the makings for any team like...say, ARSENAL, to make a deep CL run

no manchester teams in sight
chelsea sucks *** (sorry jon, but admittedly your side was downright awful against napoli)
basel overturned a suddenly shoddy bayern team
inter is falling apart
lyon and marseille, ligue 1 representatives, aren't exactly lighting it up right now

i mean, aside from the spaniards (barca poured it on but are looking leggier by the day; RM could get shellshocked, you never know), the italians are the only ones playing well. AC milan should have been a close game, but arsenal were never in it. if we had something out of the san siro, i'm confident we could have gotten a positive result at the emirates.

but noooo. in spite of the weakest pool of CL teams in recent memory, we get spanked by the rossonerri. ugh.

maybe naysayers are right, and the EPL just sucks now.

forza...udinese.

Bayern will win at the Allianz so no worries there. But I kind of expected to lose this one with Schweinsteiger out.

Not disagreeing with you. We played pretty poor on Tuesday. Had at least 3 clear chances of wrapping up the tie in Italy that night; taking a huge, maybe insurmountable aggregate lead back to London, but we gave away chances and paid the price. David Luiz, it has to be said, is a outright terrible defender. He gift wrapped Napoli's 3rd not dealing with a simple ball over the top. Nothing fancy, just clear you lines and get on with it! :shakes head: If we advance to the Quarter Finals, we will surely go out at this stage unless something is changed. AVB might be out of a job even before then...

You might be right, the strength of the Premier League in the Champions League has not been what it used to be this particular season. Although City are having some success in the Europa league; they sent Porto crashing out of the competition. Against the top European sides though, English teams have been struggling.

Bayern probably should have won that match in Switzerland, but credit to Basel for playing to the last whistle. Its certainly not something Bayern cannot overcome at home, as they are very strong at home in Europe.


I agree the two Spanish teams look the strongest to make it to the final. Madrid have been playing extremely well in all competitions, so you have to say they're the favorites to go pretty far in the tournament. Might be Jose Mourinho's parting gift to Madrid, to present the club with a La Liga title and European trophy before leaving in the summer, just like he did at Inter. If he returns to England, what club will he manage I wonder?

I'd like to see a Madrid/Milan final actually, I think that would be a very entertaining game. Lots of history between these two clubs too, the two most successful clubs in the history of the competition. Wouldn't hurt to see a German side return to the final again either.

Arsenal when Wenger coaches us to a #6 finish and gets subsequently axed. We have a 60 million pound war chest dont ya know...:ugh2:

Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin completes loan move to Zenit St Petersburg | Football | The Guardian

what the ****

yeah, just seen that. Part of me is glad for him because he'll be able to get first team football, yet part of me feels bad because to me, this marks the beginning of the end to the Arsha saga at Arsenal. He's been crap this season, no doubting that, but i've always had a special place for the guy, he pulled goals out of his ass against some strong teams, i'll miss him a bit.

I'll always remember his winning goal: 1st leg Barcelona last year.

As far as consistency, he has been only inconsistent.
Maybe similar to Cesc, Arshavin prefers to play in his home country. ?. .

:)

come on cardiff!

good game for us today, proud of the fightback, but good LORD what horrid defending for the 1st goal.

i must be dead though. ROSICKY SCORES!!!! always liked the dude, glad hes' back on the score sheet

What a match

Great initiative by Sagna to get "the ball rolling"

Rosicky was easily the MOM, guy was all over the fvcking pitch yesterday, hes looking like the Tomas we all know and love, I think he was a bit shorn of confidence warming the pine, now that he's been a regular, i think he's stepped his game up a notch, outstanding performance by the boys yesterday.

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files...30337329_3.jpg

and my current wallpaper :tup:
http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files...30337256_3.jpg

Very happy for Rosicky. I hope he can keep up his recent level of play & parlay that into being at the club for another few years.

nobody sang the 'there's only one arsene wenger' song

how sad

Alex Song confuses the shyt outta me... guy plays the black cats and stinks it up for 90 minutes, then plays against a top side and turns in one of his best offensive and defensive performances, wtf is up with that?

Schizophrenia?

Actually, I think Song is one of our strongest & most reliable players on the pitch.

Scotty Parker will captain England in the friendly against the Netherlands today. How Stevie G or Lamps didn't get the captaincy, I'll never know.

Scott Parker's appointment as England captain ahead of Steven Gerrard divides opinion - Telegraph



Looks like Podolski is keen on an Arsenal move. I think Podolski paired with Van Persie up front could prove to be lethal striker tandem for Arsenal. You've got quality wingers too, so you should have no problems going forward. Arsenal play a 4-4-2 anyway right? Could be a good signing for the club.

Lukas Podolski agrees to join Arsenal | Mail Online

^ er, we actually usually play a 4-3-3. we did just spank sp*rs with a 4-4-2 lineup though, so maybe wenger is throwing it all back to the glory days :tup:

would love to see podolski and hazard, and one more left back i think. we're quite happy everywhere else. starting XI could be really really strong



sosmeone remind me why scott parker is the england captain after he put in a retarded tackle on vermaelen, and gerrard and lamps both have achieved more and are england 'greats'? rewarding a player for half a season of good work with the national captaincy is beyond me.

bigsix: i don't know what games you've been watching, but song is hot or cold. arteta is our most consistent player on the pitch.


ooooh, i really really like the new holland away jersey.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6...42489f67_b.jpg

Right, ok I see. I thought for some reason you played a 4-4-2, but Podolski would work well in a 4-3-3 shape as well.

Don't get me wrong, Scott Parker is a great player, but I don't think I'd give him the captain's armband just yet. Like you said, Stevie G and Lamps both have more caps for England, and I think both players have proved themselves workhorses for their country. I would have given the Gerrard the captaincy actually. I think Rio's in the lineup too, he's a veteran who has the international experience to wear the armband as well. Then again, it is just a friendly, so it's entirely possible that this interim England manager will change his mind come time for the European competition, he might even have been replaced by 'arry.


I think Nike is making the best football kits at the moment. Umbro a close second. I like almost all their shirts, on the international and club level.

:iagree: