Football 2012-2013

[eFestivals]

for me, arsenal do not have enough players who take on a player and because of this, theres less space,

while that might be true in some games, the lack of space last night was down to Bayern getting 11 men behind the ball exceedingly quickly, and keeping those men extremely compact. It was like they two extra men on the pitch.

[hot_ice]

while that might be true in some games, the lack of space last night was down to Bayern getting 11 men behind the ball exceedingly quickly, and keeping those men extremely compact. It was like they two extra men on the pitch.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Sounds as if our court case is defiantly going ahead tomorrow.

Is this the end? A new begining or the begining of the end?!

[kaosmark2]

a team like arsenal is always going to have trouble beating a team that gets 11 men behind the ball, can break fast, and who can out-pass them. In fact, any team is.

Considering that, and how off the pace they were in the first half, the fact that (with a little different luck) they might have drawn or won the game gets to show that they weren't really so bad.

Wenger should have taken Ramsey off sooner than he did, he was an obvious weak spot for the whole game. Rosciky was fantastic when he came on too.

And what's going on with Sagna this season? He's either stunning, or dreadful. He wasn't quite dreadful last night, but he was still a long way from his best.

[eFestivals]

I think the worst performances in the Arsenal back line were definitely Sczezny and Vermaelen,

I don't disagree - but they're always a worry those two; Sagna has been so up and down.

And it's not like Arsenal have alternatives at the back as they do for midfield, hence me mentioning Ramsey and not those two. There was definitely something better than Ramsey in the Arsenal squad, as his substitution got to show.

But even with Ramsey on the pitch Arsenal still managed to control the game in the 2nd half, and two of those goals wouldn't have gone in on another day. The only thing Arsenal been to be embarrassed and concerned about really is their generally weak 1st half performance, which they've already shown they're far better than.

[kaosmark2]

I don't disagree - but they're always a worry those two; Sagna has been so up and down.

And it's not like Arsenal have alternatives at the back as they do for midfield, hence me mentioning Ramsey and not those two. There was definitely something better than Ramsey in the Arsenal squad, as his substitution got to show.

But even with Ramsey on the pitch Arsenal still managed to control the game in the 2nd half, and two of those goals wouldn't have gone in on another day. The only thing Arsenal been to be embarrassed and concerned about really is their generally weak 1st half performance, which they've already shown they're far better than.

[thetime]

Looking forward to tonights game more than the arsenal game, milan v barca and to see balotelli again.

I think milan will give barca a bit of a fright.

[The Nal]

Balotelli is cup tied so he wont be playing.

[eFestivals]

Didn't Arsenal just sign a leftback as cover for Gibbs?

yeah, but he was cup-tied for last night.

In the little he's played, it's looking like Gibbs might be cover for him.

[thetime]

Balotelli is cup tied so he wont be playing.

[pink_triangle]

Vermaelen's usually pretty solid, but yeah, Sagna's inconsistency lately has to be a worry.

Didn't Arsenal just sign a leftback as cover for Gibbs?

I agree re. Ramsey and options, but Rosicky has been struggling with injuries, maybe 90 minutes against a superior side would have been too much, however good he looked for 30.

[TheGayTent]

Ramsey's another Lansbury

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Sounds as if our court case is defiantly going ahead tomorrow.

Is this the end? A new begining or the begining of the end?!

[The Nal]

Milan. The real kings of Europe. Discounting Reals first 5 which were charity shield standard.

[TheGayTent]

Portsmouth. The real kings of Europe.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

[kaosmark2]

Amazing performance from Milan, worthy winners. Boating was phenomenal tonight.

Another 'Arsenal in crisis' article from McNulty on the beeb. The ultimate factor is they don't have the finances to compete at the very top level any more. If FFP is enforced, they might become a power again sheerly through the investment of the Emirates, but they've not had the success to win massive sponsorship deals. Wenger's culpable in some ways - continued trust in poor goalies being the big one - but a constant sell best player + rebuild situation can't lead to a string of trophies.

[TheGayTent]

Missed this somehow, but 10 days ago a rare match occurred - a Berlin derby.

2nd tier of the Bundesliga - 74,000 were in attendance...not a bad crowd! Finished 2-2

[Kyelo]

Of the 4 English clubs, can only see the London clubs having any chance tonight.

[thetime]

Of the 4 English clubs, can only see the London clubs having any chance tonight.

[Kyelo]

Depends who takes it seriously. I can never understand teams in the europa, they go on all season wanting to be in the europa and once they are there they cant be arsed.

[kaosmark2]

Of the 4 English clubs, can only see the London clubs having any chance tonight.

[kaosmark2]

Advantage Lyon.

Our formation is a bit weird. Cisse playing off Shola, Marveaux wide-left but drifting centrally, 3 CMs and no player on the right. Looks like we're expecting any width to come from the fullbacks. Started well though, definitely dominating midfield. Haidara looks pretty good as well.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Liverpool made a good crack at that!

[Essex_George]

So close! Did really well tonight, thought we were going to do it. Not sure the double change right after we scored the 3rd was the right thing to do. Few late goals going in tonight, shame we couldn't get one.