Oh COME ON, I have to shake out of this. YOU have to shake out of this. We have to pull through this together.
It’s just football. It doesn’t matter what the others do. We’re not going to be the obsessed bitter ex from down the road.
Arsenal head to the MIGHTY Valencia tonight. The Spaniards ripped 5 goals in a single half at the weekend against a team that sounds like a dodgy shot of tequila, Huesca.
We really shouldn’t have that much of a problem against the Spaniards this evening, the problem is we’ve been ugly on the road and we unfortunately don’t have the team metronome that was Aaron Ramsey.
Now we’ve fucked the business end of the season there’s no reason we can’t play all of our players, unless there’s some mega redzoning going on on. Tonight, we must play our best hand which should at the very least be enough to stay level for the first half.
We don’t need to be the protagonists this evening, we simply need to keep a clean sheet. All we need to do is replicate our GIANT performance in Napoli and we’re in.
Thinking back to that last game, it’s quite amazing how across both legs we stuck to a game plan… if anything, it was all a bit boring in the second leg.
I LIKE BORING
I’ll take boring, like the slow drawl of Alan Shearer reading the back of a cereal packet, or putting furniture together with a Spurs ‘nearly did it’ highlight reel lightly buzzing the background. I don’t need exciting. We just need the final, then we can truly go for it.
After the last two games we’ve watched in the Champions League, it’s hard to take anything for granted. These stats by the BBC make for grim reading if you’re a fatalist today.
- No team has lost the first leg of a Uefa Cup/Europa League semi-final by two or more goals and gone through since Espanyol did it against Club Brugge in 1988.
- In total, five of the previous 28 teams to lose the first leg of a Uefa Cup/Europa League semi-final by two or more goals have ended up progressing.
- Including finals, Arsenal manager Unai Emery has won his past 18 Europa League knockout ties, last being eliminated from the competition in the 2011-12 semi-finals -with Valencia.
- Arsenal have never lost a European tie in which they won the first leg by two or more goals, progressing from all 27 previously.
So many records there to be broken.
Unai is talking about the trophy like you’d talk about an unsightly frocked beast in an old pub in the suburbs back in the day…
“It’s an attractive title and it’s getting more attractive,”
Yes it is Unai, after 5 pints of Ye Olde Battering, the Europa is looking like a young Kate Moss right now. He needs the trophy, the fans need the final, we all need a little whisky chaser of something to get us through the potential horror show gearing up in June.
“I first competed for this title when it was still the Uefa Cup and was a lesser title than it is now.
“It has grown and I have seen that shift. Giving teams a Champions League place through the Europa League is a fair reward and it’s a title they all want to win.
“It’s an important title for those teams not in the Champions League – and for some who drop into it as a second chance, like Valencia did this season.”
I think if there’s any critique about Unai this season, it’s that he chased personal glory of being the Europa mega title holder over just doing what was sensible in the league. We know he loves this cup, we know he wants to be the most titled guy in history… just like Wenger wanted to beat Alex Fergurson for tenure.
Well, now we’re in a space where this isn’t a bonus, it is an absolute MUST.
No Champions League is a disaster for our finances, but it’s also a disaster for his reputation with the fans. We didn’t just drop out of contention, we plunged out of the sky with all 4 engines on fire against weaker opposition.
This is his way out for most fans… again, it’s a single data point of glory, as a single point of data it’s positive but clouds little… but it’d certainly plaster over the doom of the reality and it’d make whatever goes on with ***** a little easier to digest.
The final is on a platter. Are we going to be greedy and eat directly from it like some sort of dirty wilding, or will the team have public buffet fear like me and my siblings because of years of being hounded by our father for being fat c*nts if we took from the tray? Let’s hope not. Buffet PTSD isn’t cool and I’ll chuck myself out of a window if we lose this tonight.
Excuse me? That is a horrible thing to say. You’d miss me if I were dead.
BIG GAME, let’s see you ALL in the comments.
x
Maitland Niles is absolute garbage.
Crucial goal that, completely shifted momentum after we were getting our rear kicked in.
We should be using his pace more often
He’s so much better off the shoulder and it makes us unpredictable.
Wonder if Miki would be better suited for this game than Ozil.
Auba could’ve been the difference in last seasons EL, ineligible after all.
Joe, he did worse after we gave him one transfer window. Cannot begin to imagine what two would do… especially with his tastes
I’m not sure Jenkinson would be worst than Ainsley in this match
Midwest
When Xhaka and Torriera wonder to the the wings to help the wing backs, Ozil is supposed to drop in the midfield to block the space but he’s so useless at pretending to even defend that who space becomes open.
Chelsea score
Ozil just stands so close to his team mates at times, when it’s all too tight at times. These little triangles we play are too negative. Just pass, pass, pass and pass again.
There needs to be an end product to it, some kind of move or a pass into space.
Instead it invariably just ends up going backwards.
We need to push on and grab that killer 2nd which would really clinch it.
If we sit back and allow Valencia to re-assert themselves we’re asking for trouble.
Monreal needs to go also. Need a new left back.
Auba tried a header from there was novelty!
Boot it ffs.
Sorry Kolasinac but were giving your number to Gaya.
Chelski 1 up
Spurs arsenal super cup final
One way to trump them
Have to say that I’m very impressed by Valencia’s style. Fast and direct through the middle and wings. A lot of intelligence in their attack as well. Their midfielders take up strategic positions to pick up second or third balls in the final third. This is of course alien to Arsenal.
You see the idiot of a striker
Azed –
I know my friend.. Just don’t think this announcer watches us much… I’m watching a weird stream though so not sure who it is.
Auba. Put your foot through it !!
Same
We got the rolls Royce boy signed by Wenger to come in to lb
Conor
Fuck sake Laca. How could a pass look like that??
Auba is second to Agustin in goals scored for ant Pl team
Aguerro
Pedro
We are on the doorstep of the EL final
You’d be blowing Klopp if he did that in his first season.
You’d be arteta’s gimp in the basement if he did this with arSenal in his first year
Pedro
Klopp finished 1 point above banter era wenger in his 2nd year.
Wow. Really killing it there wasn’t he.
Coquelin : who are you??
Torrieria : Im you but better
😁😂😂😂
Don’t like Laca keeps backing into the defender all the time and didn’t win ball anyway. Jump and get the damn ball.
Gambon
Ann
Yeah he ain’t a RB only hope he is better in his preferred position of midfield .
Ozil is having a good away match
Someone tell ozil we have kicked off….is he on the pitch?
Where is Laca shooting at
How did Laca miss that?
How could u miss that Laca???
Shot skirted the post…
Front 3 is playing brilliantly. Question then becomes why couldn’t they play a bit more like that the last few weeks?
Hit the post!!!
Lava hot the post there
Fuck
I though that was it
Great stuff from Aubameyang
Great play
That’s what you want to see from him.
Say what u like bout ozil
He makes so much time for himself when recieving the ball…
Lazy cunt but s good football player for kids to learn from
Fucking autocorrect
Marko
That is a good question indeed. Motivational issue surely? They are so up for it out there tonight.
They are so up for it out there tonight.
Un
Why weren’t they up for it against Brighton?
Coq is better than Xhaka but is still injury prone I see.
Dive
Diving!!!
Shot hit the outside of the post. Just needed more bend…
At least we are taking shots. Neto not that good so always have a chance to score…
Gaya dived and got a yellow..
Azed
Yes
That’s what I’m saying. Tonight they are clearly revved up and ready to go. They should have been applying themselves like this in the premier league over the last few weeks
“You’d be arteta’s gimp in the basement if he did this with arSenal in his first year ”
Shouldn’t talk about Pedro’s summer holidays like that!
Gambon
Would you give amn s chance at midfield after all the first team experience this year ?
I would
Rather have amn in midfield than Xhaka.
HT
A quarter of work left…
39th minute Ozil backheels it to no one on the sideline, loses the ball then runs around the opposition player who has it, no attempt at a challenge just runs away like not my problem. Seriously, he can take his assists, all 3 of them or whatever he has this year, and his imaginary bad back and fuck off this summer. Overrated precious prick
I still rate AMN. I really think he’s got it in him to be a dependable midfielder for us a la Romford Ray
Un
They should have been applying themselves like this in the premier league over the last few weeks
This is why some of us say give the manager a chance to get his own players because you don’t need Pep or Klopp to fire up players for a game when 3/4 in the league is on the line…
Half of our players are mentally retired.
As long as we keep playing on the front foot.. looking to attack.. we should be ok.. If we start parking the bus though.. My nerves can’t take that..
Auba goal looks to have killed it, he’s playing very well tonight full credit to him.
They’ll have to go for it at around the 60 min mark if we keep it 1-1 and weather an early 2nd half storm of pressure which plays right into our hands with Auba and Laca looking really up for it and dangerous.
The difference between Emery in the Europa League to the Premier League – night and fuckin’ day.
No playing out from the back.
Niles getting roasted on the right, send Torreira to help him out.
It’s called tactics and in our last 5 league matches he simply didn’t give a shit.
I reckon we’ll win here 3-1 just like the first leg.
Interesting game I am enjoying it so far not amazing football but neat, tidy and effective.
Those who said auba and laca don’t have good chemistry are chatting shite. Lads are in synch.
The quality of both teams are not as good as those playing in the last two games.
Ozil didn’t play much. But he didn’t give the ball away, unlike our other players. He is useful when we have the ball. But he should do more defensively. Since we don’t need to score now, we should replace him with Mikki.
Not over yet but Arsenal looked to have weathered the opening 15 minute Valencia storm.
And there is every possibility of another away goal.
Opening 10-15 mins second period crucial to keep them out.
The goal was an absolute game changer. Prior to it we looked nervous and like we couldn’t string together two passes but since then there’s been a measure of control. Midfield still an issue and AMN is frankly so obviously not up to this level. The front 3 is playing great stuff though I haven’t seen Ozil as influential in a long time. Again I ask why couldn’t you see this fight in some of the recent premier league games? The manager? The players? A mixture of both. We know they’re capable of that but obviously consistency is a big… Read more »
Yeah I also think amn is a tidy player certaintly good enough for a back up option even if he doesn’t become a first team player.
As much as people don’t like Ozil, the only time in the game when we had an element of control is when he was on the ball….found a team mate s dry single time which is what you want/ need in these type of games to quiten the crowd …He didn’t touch the ball in the first 20 mins and hence we were all at sea.
AMN needs some protection on the right so maybe Emery has a decision to make on whether to bring on Mhkitaryan.
Chavs looks to be the opponent if we do this, Frankfurt only need a goal though so pretty much up for grabs still.
*Every(dry)
How many goals do Valencia need to score to win? Trying to figure out math is melting my brain.
Most impressed with Auba tonight, doing well on offense and he also tracking back to help amn/defense.
Danny
I have hunch that Emery is still adapting to english teams and style. Against the italians napoli and valenica arsenal have been another class.
I think Emery is still in continental mode. Here is hoping he can adapt to the english game.
AMN at RB/RWB has shown examples of being average going forward, practically being non-existent defensively, positionally suspect and his passing is nothing to cry home about. And yet people for some reason think he’s a viable option for CM. Don’t you want Arsenal to be better?
“AMN needs some protection on the right so maybe Emery has a decision to make on whether to bring on Mhkitaryan.”
Pierre
Who do you take out?
Ozil, Lacazette or Aubameyang?
WE
Do we beat Chelsea in the final. Had too much heartbreak from Arsenal to really trust us but then again we beat Chelsea in the fa.
Marko
“. The front 3 is playing great stuff though I haven’t seen Ozil as influential in a long time”
Maybe because the manager refuses to play him away from home .
Marko
He is 21 and playing rb for the first time in his break out season in the best football league in the world against some of the best footballers in the world.
The lads not done half bad. Name me a list of second choice rb better than him?
Jwl
If we score again it’s over, Valencia will need to score 5.
They need to score twice more without reply as it is just to take it to ET.
Would require a meltdown on our part basically but after these last couple of nights you can’t count your chickens.
I hate Ozil in an Arsenal shirt hoping these are the final days…
Pedro or anyone else that may know…
Who scouted/sanctioned the signings of Ozil, Xhaka, Mustafi etc.. was it all on Wenger?
Is there anyone at Arsenal right now that can spot a good footballer that will improve our team?
I love Leno & Torreira but if they were Svens signings it’s worrying as he’s no longer here
With emery he gave the manure in the squad time to shine in order to improve their transfer value. unfortunately they proved him wrong and are showing how shite they are.
The prospect of Amn vs hazard in the final is a bit scary.
Great first half
Great tactics from emery.
LG
I’d give them the edge purely because of Hazard.
Will be close though, completely depends on which Arsenal turn up.
The players are not without blame but I’m really struggling to understand Emery here. What is our approach to creating chances ?
I would get Iwobi on for Ozil
Ozil is done at this level, hes got nothing left, and at least Iwobi can carry the ball.
Or because he’s a soft cunt who hides and deflects any sort of criticism. For 350k a week ozil is robbing us blind. Get rid
Tbf Ozil was actually pretty decent in his first season or two.
Not perfect still flawed but he contributed to quite a few points on board for arsenal with his assist rate.
Azed
Difficult decision who to take out ,if you take Ozil out then we lose that element of control he gives the team but I can see Emery doing that .
Personally ,for the start of the 2nd half I would try Ozil further /centreright with Aubamayang also helping on the right flank and see if that works , if not bring on Mhkitaryan.
Thanks, WengerEagle. I agree about not counting our chickens just yet but happy with first half.
Maybe because the manager refuses to play him away from home .
Pierre try to be honest for one night instead of being well you. I’ve seen Ozil play home and away this season and not be remotely interested. And yet tonight he is why’s that? My theory is that it can’t be a coincidence that it falls on the same day as the season 9 launch in Fortnite. I’d say he has the update on download and will put it a shift and earn that shit for when he goes home.
Siddarth
We are playing pretty well bro. Think you are posting on the wrong day.
Why are we playing these dumb triangles around our full backs…and losing balls??
Agents Paulinho and Coq doing their bit!
Lol at Pierre and his ozil crush.
He has been fucking awful has the assist rate of a center back, cant dribble, cant beat his man, no pace, can’t shoot he really is a nothing player now.
What is actually being paid to do? He is our highest paid player but when was the last time he has done anything special.?
Frankfurt score… don’t count Chelski in just yet.
Frankfurt level.
Get in!
LACA
5 –. 2
Laca !!
What a fucking goal cog!!!
LACA
Laca is good
1-1 Chelsea !!!
Yes!!!!
We’re on the march of Unai’s army!
Fucking zap.
Done and dusted.
Well done boys, great finish Laca. Him and Auba clearly a cut above for EL.