off topic from what we were discussing, but it struck me that in about two years Arsenal can be a really, REALLY scary team, even without fabregas, and without big signings.

szczesny

sagna - koscielny - vermaelen - gibbs

song - wilshere - ramsey

walcott - van persie - nasri

bench: henderson, miyaichi, miquel, djourou, bartley, fabianski, JET

still will be a bit thin on the DM role, but good lord if the academy prospects work out...watch out!

agreed :tiphat:

but you also have to consider about 40% of them will be injured at any given time

unfortunately true :shakes head:

Yeah, finishing the rest of the season with our current defensive lineup without a loss and a few draws is nothing but a pipe dream. :(

Champions League Quarter-Final Draw:

Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)

Chelsea FC (ENG) v Manchester United FC (ENG)

FC Barcelona (ESP) v FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v FC Schalke 04 (GER)


Looking forward to the Madrid/Spurs fixture, but I am actually happy we drew United. This is the team we are most familiar with, and I think we match up really well. Barcelona and Inter are as good as through to the Semi Finals, ha.


Speaking of which,

Semi-Final Scenario 1 - Inter/Schalke v Chelsea /Manchester United
Semi-Final Scenario 2 - Real Madrid/Tottenham v Barcelona/Shakhtar

This is fantastic:



OFF THE BALL: Gattuso dances with ref, Spurs go space-age - ESPN Soccernet

:wtf2:

:eekdance:

what the fvck?:ugh2:

so who is going to be paired with koscielny now that djouru (sp) is gone? I was really hoping all along that vermaelen would make a miraculous return, but now that he is officially done we might be screwed :shakes head:

lol... I think its time Arsene goes out and buys a quality center half

Given the draw...I expect:

Semi-Final 1: Inter v. Manchester United (sorry John, I want the blues, but don't think they have the cajones to punt ManU out of the competition)

Semi-Final 2: Tottenham v Barcelona. Yes, Tottenham. Because as someone somewhere put it...Arsenal's season can't possibly get any worse.

Final: Inter v. Barcelona

Winner: Barcelona


If every Gunners' nightmare were to come through, though, Tottenham will win the UCL, and we'll be serenaded by "are you watching arsenal" until we get another trophy forever

don't call 'em squilscielny for nothing!

Problem is Arsene is delusional and thinks he has quality center halves. And the thing is, he does. He just keeps forgetting they're all out injured.

Idk dude bat is right though. I posted a lot here but don't bother since all you guys do is talk about Arsenal

Blackpool got robbed at the death. I feel bad for them, I want to see them next year in the EPL. Ian Holloway gives some of the best interviews.

Reporter: Do you have any injury worries today?
Ian: No, I'm fully fit thank you.


LOL!

Ha, even when they played in the Championship, I loved Ian Holloway's antics.


MASSIVE result for Chelsea on Sunday against City. David Luiz has assimilated brilliantly to the English game, and has already won over the hearts of Chelsea supporters. Ramires finally showed us why we spent the money to sign him from Benfica. Two goals from two Brazilians and 3 massive points. I still think the title might be too far out of reach, but it's still a huge lift for us to secure a spot in the Champions League next year. It also helps that Tottenham and Arsenal both drew this weekend.


Anyone else looking forward to Milan vs. Inter this weekend? I'm hoping for an epic Milan derby; winner takes the lead of Serie A.

Sideshow Bob! Sideshow Bob!!! Notice who the cross came from though? Drogba. Not Torres, Didier Drogba. I still can't recognize the Blues side until he comes onto the pitch, then it's more like the team I know and hate :stirthepot:

However, I just about gasped after Ramires' goal. What. A. Goal. Absolutely SHREDDED the Citizen's bi-partizan (lulz) defense. Joe Hart could do nothing with that!

Anybody watch Stoke absolutely sh*t on Newcastle? STOKE?!?!?!????? WTF???????


(conveniently ignoring the fact that we got 1 pt from 6 against the baggies :facepalm:)