the 370Z.com OFFICIAL football (soccer) thread

[Jon@AAMComp]

^ It will be tighter than last year, but I think Inter will still pull through by the slightest of margins. Keep in mind Inter still have probably the strongest defensive back four in Serie A anchored with Lucio, Zanetti, and Maicon. AND let's not forget about Sneijder, Cambiasso, and Diego Milito, all huge playmakers and some of the best finishers in Europe. I also think Rafa Benitez will find the finally success he had at Valencia several years ago before he moved to Liverpool. Speaking of which, does anyone remember the Valencia La Liga side when they were under Benitez? They were the best counter-attacking squad in the whole of Europe at the time, imo. Inter have the players in mid-field and the attacking full backs to play in a similar style as Valencia from 2003-04 era. Under Benitez I would look for a much faster pace of play from Inter this season. It's still very early to say, but I predict Inter retain the Serie A title.

However, I do feel Milan will have greater success in the Champions League this year. It's hard to say how far they will progress being grouped with the likes of Real Madrid, Ajax and Auxerre, but I think with the new signings they will certainly be competitive.

[phelan]

Arsenal announce Robin van Persie injury setback - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet

Admittedly, saw it coming a mile away. I wish we could have a healthy RvP for one full season, but he's carrying so many injuries I have no idea if he'll be the same.

Can't believe it's taken less than a season for me to go "thank God Theo is on form right now" instead of "oh god Theo is back up"

[cow]

It looks like Arsenal may finally have some depth at striker-- I'd rather him take his time & come back healthy.

[Red370]

Originally Posted by phelan

Arsenal announce Robin van Persie injury setback - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet

Admittedly, saw it coming a mile away. I wish we could have a healthy RvP for one full season, but he's carrying so many injuries I have no idea if he'll be the same.

Can't believe it's taken less than a season for me to go "thank God Theo is on form right now" instead of "oh god Theo is back up"

I'm starting to get numb to all the injuries our team is hit with week in and week out, I guess i've finally come to terms with it. And like my man Phelan said, thank GOD Theo is on a tear right now, he started in the England game and set up 2 Defoes goals, the guy is playing some of the best football i've seen him play. And to think, this kid isnt even in the prime of his career yet. I think Chamakh will come around, his first few matches have really just been more of a feeling out, adjusting to the English style of play. Koscielny disappointed me against Blackburn, Diouf muscled through him like it was nothing to set up the pass for the goal, I wouldnt doubt that Squillaci may start this week. Overall, we're not looking terrible, Rosicky has been a revelation this season, hopefully he'll keep looking good as well. But if we're to challenge Chelski and ManUre, we'll need a full strength side, hopefully we'll have a few injury returns before then.

[cow]

I'm forgiving of Koscielny on the Diouf to Diouf goal-- the guy had gotten a harsh red in his last match; had he fouled Diouf #1 in that position, he'd probably have gotten another red & maybe given away a penalty. I blame the goal more on Clichy's ball watching.

I grant you that Koscielny shouldn't have been so easily muscled away by Diouf #1, but I think he's been very solid beyond that.

[phelan]

Originally Posted by cow

I'm forgiving of Koscielny on the Diouf to Diouf goal-- the guy had gotten a harsh red in his last match; had he fouled Diouf #1 in that position, he'd probably have gotten another red & maybe given away a penalty. I blame the goal more on Clichy's ball watching.

I grant you that Koscielny shouldn't have been so easily muscled away by Diouf #1, but I think he's been very solid beyond that.

I put a lot of the blame on Clichy. I still think Gibbs should get some first team matches under his belt, and make Clichy feel less 'entitled' to the position. Maybe he'd pick up his play again.

Koscielny has played excellent for Arsenal so far. I agree with what the pundits on Arseblog wrote:

Out of curiosity I looked at his performances against Liverpool and Blackburn via the Guardian Chalkboards - he's won every tackle on the deck. He's been beaten a couple of times in the air but on the ground he's at 100% (5 tackles v Blackburn, 1 v Liverpool). I know it's early in the season but it augurs well. It's how quickly he learns that will determine his success, I think.

Out of the 11 tackles vs. Blackburn, he won all but two, losing those in the air. Pretty respectable for a guy who looks like a stick out there on the pitch. Get some muscle on him, and he'll be a great defender.

[phelan]

Hey guys, we're f*cked.

From the guardian:

GOAL! Switzerland 0-1 England (Rooney 10') A fine, simple goal. Walcott showed strength and intelligence in midfield before picking out Johnson on the overlap. The full-back sent a perfect low cross into the box and Rooney arrived at the edge of the six-yard box to sidefoot it into the net. He barely celebrates, possibly because he's not feeling very jolly at the moment or possibly because Walcott suffered an injury in that move and has been carried off on a stretcher.

12 min: Walcott will not be back. So on comes Adam Johnson. No confirmation yet on the nature or gravity of Walcott's injury. But it's a pity because, in keeping with his season, he had begun this match promisingly.

And I totally agree with this:

32 min: The more this match goes on, the more shocking Switzerland's win over Spain becomes. "Arsenal players really shouldn't participate in any games that aren't for the club," fumes Rohit Kapur. "I don't know what Wenger's doing there, but the damn physio department needs lookign at. Van Persie's out till mid-October now, and now, Theo's gone. Bloody internationals ... How is a club to sail through the season if the damn boat keeps getting holes punctured in all the time?!" I understand your frustration. I was expecting a big season from Samir Nasri but he too has been struck down after a promising beginning, though not on international duity. France, in fact, could do with him in Sarajevo tonight (still 0-0 there, I beleive).

**** BUYING A GOALKEEPER, WENGER BUY A NEW MEDICAL STAFF

[Red370]

Originally Posted by phelan

I put a lot of the blame on Clichy. I still think Gibbs should get some first team matches under his belt, and make Clichy feel less 'entitled' to the position. Maybe he'd pick up his play again.

Koscielny has played excellent for Arsenal so far. I agree with what the pundits on Arseblog wrote:



Out of the 11 tackles vs. Blackburn, he won all but two, losing those in the air. Pretty respectable for a guy who looks like a stick out there on the pitch. Get some muscle on him, and he'll be a great defender.

You guys make valid points, Diouf #2 cut across Clichy pretty easily and slipped through unnoticed it seemed. And i'll agree with Phelan, Koscielny hasnt done too poorly given his size disadvantage, but have yall seen a before and after picture of Verms from last year til this season? the dude has packed on alot of beef, them weight trainers at Arsenal obviously know what they're doing. Give the frenchy a year and he'll be throwin around some extra weight.

[phelan]

The weight trainers know what they're doing, BUT WHY ARE THE BOYS' ANKLES VAPORIZING AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH?!

[Red370]

Originally Posted by phelan

Hey guys, we're f*cked.

From the guardian:



And I totally agree with this:



**** BUYING A GOALKEEPER, WENGER BUY A NEW MEDICAL STAFF

FML, we're through.

[Red370]

Originally Posted by phelan

The weight trainers know what they're doing, BUT WHY ARE THE BOYS' ANKLES VAPORIZING AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH?!

too many games w/o time for recovery maybe?

[Red370]

34 min: Walcott update Word from Sky's touchline reporter is that he has been expedited to hospital to have an x-ray on his ankle ...

kill me.

[phelan]

Ugh...now what? VS Bolton:

Almunia

Sagna - Squillaci - Vermaelen - Gibbs (or Clichy, I guess)

Song

Wilshere / Diaby - Fabregas - Rosicky???

Chamakh - Arshavin

[Red370]

Originally Posted by phelan

Ugh...now what? VS Bolton:

Almunia

Sagna - Squillaci - Vermaelen - Gibbs (or Clichy, I guess)

Song

Wilshere / Diaby - Fabregas - Rosicky???

Chamakh - Arshavin

Bendtner out, RvP out, Walcott out, we're running thin up top... now its only a matter of time before our midfield gets depleted through late challenges and sloppy play. Kill me. At least our defense has depth...

[cow]

Maybe it won't be that serious.

:-|