Wenger said:
‘We are in an ideal condition to face them. We cannot complain, we have the belief, the confidence, the players available. That was not the case last year. We are in an ideal position to face them’
Arsene, I couldn’t agree more, no excuses, why should we ever be in a position where the other team is best, if our team can improve then we should bring in a player in that position, like Barca do. However no team deserves the plaudits they get, they are 2 up against whoever they play before the game starts because they get talked up, yes they play great football, but so do we, and me, I prefer watching us, as Wenger said, there are many in this Barca team that don’t have Barca DNA, many of them come from other countries, they have three Argies for goodness sake, one of them just happens to be the worlds 5th best player, Messi.
I say 5th because he’s behind Cesc, RVP, Nasri, Theo and Jack Wilshere right now, and if these boys play like they are better than them, then we’ll romp this tonight, send out a big message and show our captain why staying in London is the only sensible option.
Wenger has it right, he says that we have no excuses, we are all fit, well with the exception of Vermaelen we are, they have no Crusty the clown either, so that makes their defence even worse in my book, we know we have to press and win the ball back when we lose it, we know we have to keep the ball, but we also have to shoot when we get the chance and I think we will.
This will be the team tonight.
Chezzer
Eboue Djourou Kozzer Clichy
Wilshere Cesc Song
Walcott RVP Nasri/Arshavin
It’s a tough call that one, Nasri or Arshavin, I don’t think he’ll risk him starting, I do believe Arshavin will have his best ever game for us, after all although he doesn’t have Barca DNA, but he did support them and has often talked about them, he now has a chance to show them what they missed, as for any Barca DNA in this team, that will be reserved for Johan, Kozzer and Song, they will finish the evening with plenty of their DNA, on their boots though not inside them!
At last Arsene Wenger seems to have had enough and has spoken out about these bullies from Barca, I remember when Figo left Barca to join Madrid, they sent him a pigs head as a leaving gift, classy, they seem to think whatever they want they can have, well Barca, when Cesc joined us he wasn’t in chains and he wasn’t kidnapped, he left barca because he felt he had a better chance to improve, I doubt he would be the player he is now had he not been under Arsene Wenger, you can’t just claim who you want because they used to be in your academy or their bus stopped there once.
Messi’s dad was told to bugger off on 3 seperate occasions, we wanted him but unfortunately for us the law prohibits us signing players from Argentina, it wasn’t even a Spanish colony so I have no idea why the Spanish can break these EU laws, however you don’t have any rights to Cesc, he has a contract with us until 2015 so when he’s 27 maybe you can come back, have a little look tonight, you’ll find out what you’re missing.
Last time out you dirty bastardo’s broke his leg, this time out, he’ll break your hearts!
So I’m honestly going for a big win, I won’t say by how many, save to say it will be more than 2 and less than 4.
This game tonight reminded me of a game played many years ago against the Spanish, this time it was the away leg first…
The year was 1587 and Queen Elizabeth’ spies informed her that King Philipe of Spain was building a massive armada to invade England, her top sailor was Sir Francis Drake who devised a cunning plan to sail into Cadiz harbour and singed (lightly burn) the Kings beard. He went in there under the Spanish flag and destroyed 24 of their ships, most of which carried seasoned wood, which meant the following year when the armada sailed, the barrels that carried their fresh drinking water and salted pork was made from green wood, so they all leaked, by the time the armada got to England the men were starving or ill, and that my friends was what really won the day.
So the lesson to be learned there is get in their faces early (Drake into Cadiz), don’t give them a chance to play (by sending their armada) and burn their seasoned wood (stop the supply to Messi) then and only then we can deploy our fireships (Walcott, Nasri or Arshavin and RVP) and turn over Barcelona.
CUT OFF THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE AND IT CAN’T HURT YOU!
The lesson of 1587 should be pinned to the dressing room door Arsene, Cesc, sorry for the Spanish analogy but you get the drift, go out there and show Denilson why you are the greatest leader this club has had since big Frank and Tony Adams, your football club needs you like never before, go Cesc, go!
Have just the best day Grovers, at last I have a great feeling about this one! And don’t forget to sing the ‘Hands off Cesc Fabregas’ song!
SING IT LOUD AND PROUD!
P.S. A big thanks to John Cross who backed the song via twitter plus 11 Gunners and Another Arsenal Blog who also mentioned the song. Hundreds of you have changed your avatars to the above image and one of the @LeGrove tweets made it onto the twitter homepage yesterday! Do everything you can to spread the word today and lets make tonight the most electric the Grove has ever seen!
Farnchise – Get some sleep dude, you haven’t a clue what you’re on about, seriously don’t drive for a while either you’re far too concerned about gas and pedals.
Forget cycling for that matter to.
Just wake up in the morning and check out the back pages of the papers.
Kos/JD were superb, Eboue scares the shit out of you.
Cesc had a bit of an off night, not into all that hugging other opponents you dont play for them yet mate.
Sagna back for 2nd leg, we can score over their
incesc – Nah, I don’t think he knows what he’s on about, he’s been syphoning petrol from his neighbours VW Golf and he’s got a bit high on the fumes.
Gambon, foolish twat, emperor with no clothes, love to meet in person, but no doubt very let down if I did. Begby Gambon campaign ?????
i will keyser u too get some sleep and stop winding ppl up
its been 3 years
*siphon even.
Only joking Franchise, Good Night mate, I love you to.
Big Dave
Agree although I did like it when he pushed pique. We need more disdain for our opponents, Roy keane made a career out of it.
Begby?
Im Nee pufty rent boy.
Amazing.
Nite all, that game knocks you out.
Till tomorrow. play nicely guys
Up the Gunners
thats the spirirt keyser i was waiting to hear of ur love b4 i retire for the night
viva Arsenal
u done me proud and many others. ill be buying all the tabloids tomorrow
In two words – Mental Strength
Fran, I know what you mean, but i think the way it comes from you, sounded like you didn’t give us a fighting chance and the win was purely Barca’s doing. It wasn’t…but taking off Villa cut the pure attacking they had, but that tactic would have retained the 1-0 lead, and most Coaches woul have made that move, just shoulda been Pedro and not Villa…lets not forget, they had Messi on still, so that’s not taking foot of gas.
keyser even Arse.com agreed with me
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3349242/first-team/arsenal-v-fc-barcelona?tab=report
Keyser says:
February 16, 2011 at 23:50
Farnchise – Get some sleep dude, you haven’t a clue what you’re on about, seriously don’t drive for a while either you’re far too concerned about gas and pedals.
======
lol lol lol
What an atmosphere there tonight, my throat is sore we were the twelth man.
dale i said this earlier
ok night for real now woooooooohoooooooo
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Red Cafe is a rapper. Gambon are you Red Cafe? or is that some Manure site?
Fran, i know we all mean well, things can be taken out of context
I can see your angle though.
Great night at the Grove, best yet, you should try it sometime. Voice is lost but the team is found, good night.
Jimbo says:
February 16, 2011 at 12:31
Cesc MyBoy – if we win tonight, sure, I won’t come back for a week. Though I’m sure you’ll wish I were here so you can tell me ‘I told you so’!
I presume you’ll disappear too, if we lose? Fair’s fair, after all?
Bye Jimbo
Yea, i was just on the Guardian Blog and the sort of support and applause we have received from Spurs, United, Chelsea, Newcastle Fans has been immense! Genuine Happiness tbh!
Haha…
Fair enough! Cheerio!
ARSENAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL
did we just whip the floor with the cuntalonians
just got back completely wasted though!
fucking awesome, some of you need to be patient before slating our players and manager!!
gambon, it’s not fucking fifa, i don’t think you ever scored a goal in a CL knock out game against those cunts, RvP was over the moon he can’t contain his joy in such a moment, therefore he’s entitled to celebrate.
RvP goal was amazing, he did it on purpose.
wilshere what a fucking player, making those runs through their midfield…
song played like a lion and wanted to destroy them, that’s the spirit lad, but be careful with the bookings.
cesc played well imo, he tried to get the crowd going at some point, i loved it.
Ebway was a bit out of form as he hasn’t been playing a lot, especially going forward
clichy, mistaken for the goal, but a top assist for the first goal and a good game overall
DJ/Kozzer they rock! kozzer was immense
chesser? enough said
What’s occurring?
just came back home, what a game!
Wilshere, Koscielny, Szczesny – legends in the making…
some fucking goals from RvP & AA too!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Damn great job Suga3, RVP said it was like we had a 12th player on the pitch, hats off to everyone who was at the Grove tonight
wish I was there – lost my voice at a boozer in London tho
really, I was concerned in the first half, but we’ve managed the unthinkable and successfully chased the game against Barca!
Check out the ‘this is what arsenal DNA look like’ on gunnerblog with jack wilshere.
Fucking brilliant.
Barcelona dropped physically and would have done with or without David Villa just as they did last year.
They still play brilliantly because of the amazing way they pass the ball around, however they passed it around in their own half for most of the time.
When they dropped physically as Wenger says, they then rely more on Messi to dribble his way through.
Tonight though he met his match with the awesome Kosser, this fella reads the game better than any of our players he is also very composed and passes well.
Willshere was amazing too and wasn’t at all star struck by Cescs friends.
We have finally started using the only decent goalkeeper at the Club and he makes all the difference as with Coco the Clown in goal they probably would have scored at least two more goals.
Watched some highlights on ITV and clip on SSN (ManU TV) and yet again was disappointed that they showed THEM missing many chances but apart from the save from RVP early on showed none of our chances.
Never mind, we will be the creepy tossers fags next season when we beat all before us to finish off this one.
Well done The Arsenal, well done Wenger for being tactically good tonight and a massive well done to all the GOONERS who took part in a truly special night tonight.
The Stadium is starting to get a feel good feeling about it like dear old Highbury had.
With a bit of luck and lots of belief we really can go on to win much more than the fizzy drinks cup this year. These lads remind me of the Mancs early teams when they had lots of home grown guys playing for them and they won the treble.
I am very proud to be an Arsenal fan tonight. YYYEEEEEEEEEEEE AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH.
cloud cuckoo land looks pretty fuckin awesome i have to say!
I DON’T EVER WANT TO LEAVE!
Approaching 9am and still can’t stop tinglng. F’ing awesome!
Down and out after thirty, couldn’t keep the ball…. back in it at half time… sowly take control…. before the double-whamm…. Unbelieveable!!!!!!!!!!
Only downside was I had to watch it in the bloody Man U pub! Someone open up an Arsenal pub over here!!!!!
Second best moment of the night was watching a German fella called Dino have a fight with a ladyboy at a street bar. She slaps him. He slaps her. Ladyboy and adyboy friend disappear. Fair enough. Made all the more pricless by the second ladyboy re-appearing from a taxi thrty minutes later to ask Dino if he wanted “company” for the night.
Strange evening all round methinks!!!!
just realised . arsenals away form.
it is possiable.
Valdes error was comical, you think Almunia is bad when he get’s beaten at the near post but his positioning was laughable, Almunia must have been thinking ‘I didn’t do it’
My barca mate trying to mAke excuses, hehe
He was really impressed with jack though. His first time seeing jack play. Reminded him of a little iniesta he said.
Kozzer was amazing tonight.. really made a big impact. Great tackles all over the pitch and winning the ball back in their half too..
I have a good feeling about the trip there.
If Pink Boots cuts it back to Arshavin or RvP, we’da gotten my 3-1 scoreline.
= /
Only negative on the day… oh and Eduardo didnt score for Shakhtar.
incesc says:
February 16, 2011 at 21:42
nice to see van rapist celebrate with wenger
————————-
you horrible fan, fuck off
I FUCKING LOVE ARSENAL! GOOD NIGHT TO ALL!!!!
AND I’M GOING TO BARCELONA! COYR!!!!
Please let it be noted that we only scored once His Royal Pinkiness came on.
The five goals we’ve scored against them have all come with him on the pitch.
Just saying
Also A, can you please go to all our games from now on in
Suuuppperrrr, Super Nik……..
Whatever you want to say about Arshavin.
The Russian has scored in 3 of his last 5 CL appearances.
8 hrs later and im still flying hi boys!!…this win can propel us onto big things this season…belief above anything else…could bring us some major trophies.
There are 3 finals this season at weberly…thats got me dreaming!!!
Arshavin’s class. Don’t think anyone denied that. He went through a bad patch, but what a time to score and finally snap out of it.
Him and van Persie are going to absolutely crucial in the runin.
Never in doubt!!
Although it’s pretty funny reading the comments back.
Fanchise wont be around for a while, proper mugged himself tonight. No hard feelings though Fran we all know you have no clue!
B.B.K vanished too, we were going to get embarrassed weren’t we? Are we still in cloud cokoo land?
Thought you always came back to face the music when you were wrong? ha ha, must be busy tonight.
and where is Jag? and Jimbo?
oh wait Jimbo wont be back for a week because Incesc won a bet. Shame jimbos posts are normally excellent…what will we do without them?
At least Gambon came on. Made a total cunt of himself as usual with his “hilarious” “elephant washing” and “your mums a whore” “jokes”
based on “Steve Biko” “race”
But he showed his face at least. The fucking mug.
YESTERDAY I TOLD YOU THAT I HAD A VERY GOOD FEELING .. EVEN THE BIRD THAT LIVES NEXT TO MY HOUSE STARTED SINGING MELODIOUS ARSENAL TUNES AT 5 A.M AND THAT BIRD HAS A SUPERSTITIOUS FEELING ABOUT ARSENAL.
AND WE WON!!!!!!!
WE WON !!!!!!! COME ON U GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!!
still buzzing, the boys made me proud, that’s what I’m talking about!
I guess AA deserves a new chant now?
Arshavin, Arshavin, Arshavin, Arshavin!!!
has to be sung a bit quicker, but here’s the melody:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_A7Hu0uKNw
FUCK YOU BARCELONA
what can i say !!!!!!!!!!! this is the best performance by any english side since 2005 in Istanbul by liverpool
buzz buzz buzzing! Team can play even better, too. They did us proud.
suga where ve you been mate this last couple of days
Wilshere, Arshavin, Van Persie and Chezzers are the hero’s. Nasri for his terrific assist, Walcott for making them shit in their pants early on the counter should get praise too. Fabregas and Song were so so. Koscielny after some errant play did well the rest of the way. Clichy and Eboue were pretty good too.
Special praise to Wilshere though, he was a touch above everyone else the entire 90 for me. The best player on the pitch. We love you Jack.
Still can’t believe we won. What a player Jack is turning for us. Best player for me. Ebue was also good on the night, though having no end product. Will like to see the stats for the game, thought we had better chances in the first half we should have put away.
Cesc will look like a mug if he dreams Barca now. We are the Arsenal!!!!!!
i was reading some of the comments after the win last night and there is still negativity to wards arsenal still after this magnificent
and JIMBO well played mate
love this
http://gunnerblog.com/images/WilshereGunnerblogBody.png
Just watching the clips from Arsenalist – I didn’t realise how good that Arshavin goal was. The speed from defence to attack was phenomenal. Almost one touch movement from Kos through to Nasri. Notice also how RVP’s run pulls defenders out of position for Arshavin to arrive into space.
My suspicion before the game was that the best play was to take advantage of their high defensive line and put balls over the top, which is exactly what Clichy did superbly for RVP’s fantastic first. Then the long through ball for the second, not in the air, but same concept.
I think the same strategy will work at Nou Camp, but hopefully we can get more of Walcott on the ball, because I think they will genuinely be terrified of our counter-attacks now – even last season’s goal at their place was a counter-attack.
Great image abnet.
abnet says:
February 16, 2011 at 09:42
he ll be one z star of the night jimbo mark my word
Jimbo says:
February 16, 2011 at 09:39
I’m backing Koscielny to lose his head and get himself sent off.
Fucking loved Szesny’s celebration.Finally we have a top keeper
sore head and no voice, we must have won!..what a night at the G
me too Goonert1m !! but i’m loving every bit of my headache right now
Yes fucking great result, love it. I’ll say sorry tho to all the optimists I got it wrong WE WON I’ve never been so happy about being wrong, Jack and Kos and Wenger need a special mention. Jack was excellent at times making Xavi and Biscuits look average and that cunt Capello said he was slow DICKHEAD. Kos reading of the game and decision making was TOP I think he’s a new breed of CB not the typical big bad man at the back but a calculated smart defender if he could gain some weight I reckon he’ll be a massive player for Arsenal of course he’s still settling so I believe he’ll continue to become more and more composed. Wenger’s half time team talk did wonders his subs were brilliant and the team preparation was top, great stuff.
where’s the new post? haha…
I’m a useless employee this morning. Getting paid to watch replays and read match reports…
ther were some grovers in here still were negative to wards the club and this magnificent win how they could call to be a football fan i dont know let alone a gooner
Watched the Arsha goal about 50 times. It doesnt get boring at all.
Watching the crowd jump up like hell. First time Emirates so loud.
Great day !
*looks at watch*
Oh well, have to enjoy the victory post later.
Did last night actually happen or was it a dream?
The only thing separating the path from confidence, to either arrogance or belief, is time.
Well done, a great game to watch for a neutral.
Man of the match;
Theo wilsh VanNasregas
NEW POST!
FUCK YOU BARCA SHIT