Indeed. We drew Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago and granted they were undercooked it for it but nobody thought that would be the case at the time!Originally Posted by Marc Overmars
Indeed. We drew Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago and granted they were undercooked it for it but nobody thought that would be the case at the time!
You're forgetting the clubs from pot 2 we're competing in probably have harder groups and thus will most likely pick up less points in the group stages (which call counts), with regards the Europa league perhaps but there's a number of CL teams in there, there's no guarantee of winning it or getting to the final.
The fact we're still in the top 6 teams despite 3 seasons in the last 16 (even before that what was it last 8 for 2 seasons which isn't even top 6) suggest there's a good chance we'll be staying there if we make last 16 again.
He has a point Ollie. The point is not to say you aren't a fan, it's to say that sometimes fans (or the electorate) have to stand up and be counted when the controlling authorities are feathering their nests while claiming to be representing the interests of those who fund the enterprise. You can be a loyal fan and still punch the boss in the face, sometimes that's what you have to do to redress the balance. It depends why you think the club exists. In the most practical sense it seems to be Arsenal exists to make profits for the few while creaming it off the many. But the stated aim is to compete at the highest level possible. We aren't doing that because of the actions of a greedy few who are abusing the loyalty of the fans. So it's great to cheer the team when they step up and deliver, which they have done over the last couple of games. But you can still be punching the greedy bastard in charge in the face and it's in your interest to focus on getting a good shot in because in the end if they are forced to do their job then everyone benefits.
I say well done lads, good performances, Wenger out and drop dead Ivan and Stan.
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The teams with high coefficents from Pot 2 have proven themselves to be fairly good consistently, hence it's not going to be a walk in the park for us in general either and in theory, they will be one of the sides that has a chance to make it through along with us. And indeed, there are Champions League teams that drop to the Europa League, like Benfica, that dropped out of the Champions League, made the Europa League final and in conjuction with all else that they have done over the last five seasons are now very close to us, in Pot 1.
The reason we have that high coefficient is due to the aforementioned semi-final from 2008/2009 being counted which will not be the case next season. Take that away now and add 16 points instead (like we got in 06/07)...we'd be five points ahead of Porto and six ahead of Benfica. That is not very much at all.
I didn't realise how close another last 16 exit would send us to pot 2.
True however neither Porto nor Benfica will do much in the CL as they're not top sides, I think we'd still maintain our top seed status is we made the last 16 considering we'll probably do well in our group.
We're like a minor nation's champion, we turn up but we have no chance of reaching the big games. Filler material for the competition. It's the legacy of a decent team that keeps us in pot 1 and as that legacy recedes it's inevitable we find our true position. Very reflective of everything that has been happening at the club.
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Porto or Benfica are in Pot 1 though, which means if they aren't going to do well, then teams from the other pots have to, instead of them. However Porto or Benfica are more likely to get a second chance at a European competition and in lieu improve their coefficient. It also means if we don't make the quarter final then there are eight teams more that will. Eight does not go in to seven other teams aside from us in Pot 1.
If we only at maximum get 21 points then that is only just going to be enough, for five seasons. I forgot to mention we made the QF in 2009/2010 so that's counted currently also but again, won't be in two seasons tme.
Real Madrid dropped out by only making last 16 and they usually annihilate their groups. The same is likely to be true with us, if we don't at least make the QF once, soon.
Which may be a good thing? Though it could go either way with us, never know which Arsenal is going to turn up.
There's no chance in hell we're going to win this competition so I'd prefer to see us take on some decent teams in the group for a change. If we still manage to get through then I'd feel a lot better about our chances knowing we've overcome some dangerous sides already.
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