UEFA Champions League/Europa League 8/9/10 March *** Spoilers ***

[jakeke]

Apart from that decent period before the World Cup where we played alright, you mean? I don't remember either beating of Croatia being particularly hoofball.

Wilshere's a good footballer, but to try and pretend he's the only Englishman who can pass in forever is more than a little silly.

There was a short, semi decent period with games against semi-professional players, but against any good team (like Denmark are) we've been absolutely devoid of any ideas besides smash it to Heskey.

You can't deny he's the first English midfielder of his mould in ageees, somebody who actually wants the ball of the defence, somebody not rushed in posession, somebody who hit about 95% of his passes (in his debut!), somebody who was comfortable under pressure and in tight spaces. There's been no player like him for ages.

 

[Shamikebab]

Wouldn't be the first young player that has been overhyped by Arsenal fans.

 

[K1LLSW1TCH]

well, it could get messi for arsenal tonight but then again, they may have enough fabregas in the tank to be on song!

Ouch! That... that was painful for me to read.

 

[jakeke]

Wouldn't be the first young player that has been overhyped by Arsenal fans.

You make such good points. Not only original, but very interesting. I should pay more attention

 

[Stewy]

Wilshere is the best young English player I can remember but I am only ickle

 

[jakeke]

Dunno if he's the best young prospect we've had, my main point is he's completely different to anything we've had, just doesn't seem like an English player, which is good. Mixes it up a bit.

 

[pendy]

I have an inkling for extra time.

 

[elmuzzy66.]

He was trying to have yet another dig at Arsenal without realising you're in Spain. I think Arsenal are upsetting him a little at the moment. Don't worry, we'll show you how to this Barca side, again

Not in spain next to it, basic geography

 

[jakeke]

Not in spain next to it, basic geography

Close enough! You're only about 100 ft from Spain!

 

[Weebull]

There was a short, semi decent period with games against semi-professional players, but against any good team (like Denmark are) we've been absolutely devoid of any ideas besides smash it to Heskey.

So Croatia aren't any good?

We've definitely lacked creative flair for some time, but to say we've just played hoofball is doing what Capello did with us at the start a bit of a disservice. We played decent patient, possesion football for a while there, only it got labelled "boring" by all the fans who think kick and rush is the only way to play.

You can't deny he's the first English midfielder of his mould in ageees, somebody who actually wants the ball of the defence, somebody not rushed in posession, somebody who hit about 95% of his passes (in his debut!), somebody who was comfortable under pressure and in tight spaces. There's been no player like him for ages.

There's no doubting his potential (and talent), but to claim he's the only decent English player in ages is doing the likes of Cole, Gerrard and Johnson a bit of a disservice, never mind the other promising youngsters we have like McEachran, Henderson and Rodwell.

Wilshere is very, very good yes, but England haven't been a terrible team. Just poorly managed and full of disinterested egos.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Not at all nervous about tonight, if we get spanked like last year - we get spanked like last year.

As said above it's the bigger picture that interests me, sure Barca will be a great scalp but it will benefit the sides between us and them more than just us. There's still the threat of other English sides vs. Arsenal that worries me.

Still, another round = more money I suppose.

 

[jakeke]

So Croatia aren't any good?

We've definitely lacked creative flair for some time, but to say we've just played hoofball is doing what Capello did with us at the start a bit of a disservice. We played decent patient, possesion football for a while there, only it got labelled "boring" by all the fans who think kick and rush is the only way to play.


There's no doubting his potential (and talent), but to claim he's the only decent English player in ages is doing the likes of Cole, Gerrard and Johnson a bit of a disservice, never mind the other promising youngsters we have like McEachran, Henderson and Rodwell.

Wilshere is very, very good yes, but England haven't been a terrible team. Just poorly managed and full of disinterested egos.

Bang on, Croatia were dreadful throughout that qualifying campaign, surprised you can't remember, they had no Modric/Eduardo etc. and were just poor.

Yep, I thought the only player in recent memory to be anything like Wilshere was Cole, but that was nearly a decade ago now when he was decent and even then he wasn't much like Wilshere, but he had good technique. Maybe my phrasing was off, I just think he's the first continental style midfielder we've had in ages, I wasn't saying he was far and out the best we've had, he's just different and has been brought up in a completely different football environment which has produced an exciting and different player

 

[Shamikebab]

You make such good points. Not only original, but very interesting. I should pay more attention

Laughable coming from someone who has just said that Wilshere is the first English player in a decade that can play football

 

[Viper²]

Not at all nervous about tonight, if we get spanked like last year - we get spanked like last year.

As said above it's the bigger picture that interests me, sure Barca will be a great scalp but it will benefit the sides between us and them more than just us. There's still the threat of other English sides vs. Arsenal that worries me.

Still, another round = more money I suppose.

Would you rather have a good run (possibly win) the CL or Premiership?

 

[Tummy]

How many Arsenal fans are bricking it? Personally I think we will go through, I don't know what it is, just an inkling. I am almost 100% certain that they will score against us, but I think we'll score first, and with them pushing up the pitch to force a goal, especially with their makeshift defence I think they'll be vulnerable. I heard Biscuits and Abidal are the CB's tonight?

I'm really a combination of nervous and excited and a wee bit scared haha and I'm not an Arsenal or Barca fan

 

[Greenlizard0]

That's easy I'd rather win the CL, we only have a final in our history and even Notts Forest and Villa have at least one. However I'm not bothered about a good run to get near to a victory, I'd rather take the EPL.

I don't think we'll get either, our current side hasn't really demonstrated any ability to get a consistent run going. However with those around us not doing so either, it's not that unfathomable to accept that anything can happen.

That's how annoying the CC loss was - it just seemed a whole waste of time and in recent years we have far too many second places. If you look at other sides who wander in and out, e.g. Liverpool, they've been able to collect some trophies. Consistency hasn't always yielded any reward.

 

[Weebull]

Bang on, Croatia were dreadful throughout that qualifying campaign, surprised you can't remember, they had no Modric/Eduardo etc. and were just poor.

Both of them played against us, albeit in seperate matches. My point isn't how well Croatia played, but that they're better than just being dismissed as "semi-professional". Likewise Ukraine really.

For someone that frequently bangs on about how the Premier League isn't all that, it's a bit insulting to say their only decent players were the two big PL names, isn't it?

Maybe my phrasing was off, I just think he's the first continental style midfielder we've had in ages, I wasn't saying he was far and out the best we've had, he's just different and has been brought up in a completely different football environment which has produced an exciting and different player

That's fair enough I guess. Maybe just less hyperbole next time?

 

[atpbx]

Dunno if he's the best young prospect we've had, my main point is he's completely different to anything we've had, just doesn't seem like an English player, which is good. Mixes it up a bit.

No, Paul Scholes was a whole lot better than Wilshire is.

Lets not got all worked up over what happened in the home leg of this Barca tie, Arsenal should have been down 3 goals and one man by half time had the referee made the correct calls, and nobody would have been talking about Wilshire.

He didnt exactly run the game against Brum in the Carling cup final either, going missing for the the entire second half virtually.

If Barca get the same kind of favoritism shown to them tonight as the home team its going to be a car crash for Arsenal.

 

[explicit4u]

Not really feeling anything at the moment, my nerves kick in during the build up to the game and then I **** bricks for 90 minutes!

I'm not really sure what's going to happen, if we both go out there and give it 100% I reckon we'll go through. Anything less and we'll be beaten. I'm going for either 2-2 or 2-1 to the Arsenal.

 

[Weebull]

That's easy I'd rather win the CL, we only have a final in our history and even Notts Forest and Villa have at least one. However I'm not bothered about a good run to get near to a victory, I'd rather take the EPL.

In 2006 I wanted the CL more than anything. Now though, this is a whole new team, and I'd much rather they won the Premier League, as it's better reward for a full season of effort. Although of course, the FA Cup is in some ways the best chance of a trophy*, since we only need enough luck to sneak past Man Utd and then we're the biggest team left in it.

*Disregarding the fact that the Carling Cup was actually our best chance of winning a trophy. Shush you.

EDIT: Forgot all about Scholes. Shame on me.