The key factor is if they got past Barcelona to begin with then it would suggest that they are to be taken seriously.
Interestingly on the subject of Inter, if paper talk is to be believed (and of course it hardly ever is) one of the strikers Berta wanted us to look at was Lautaro Martinez…now if we were to sign a player of a particular age I would be more disposed towards him than Gyokeres, although even that would come with the caveat that Italian football is not what it once was
Quite excited about the prospect of an Arsenal vs Barca rematch from 2006 and our long-awaited revenge.
Although we are getting somewhat ahead of ourselves. Job to do in Madrid first - they'll come out all guns blazing, we need to be careful there.
Then there's the semi-final of course.
It’s interesting the difference in perspective one match can make, I doubt many of us entertained the idea of the semi finals let alone winning the competition outright prior to Tuesday evening. I still don’t think we will win it, but the idea is no longer absurd to me and I allowed myself to consider the possibility of becoming European champions in Munich on May 31st
The tie is indeed not over but even Ancelotti has had to acknowledge that we are favourites to progress. We have not conceded more than 2 goals in any game since 2023….and whilst that of course doesn’t exclude the possibility of us doing so, it means that we can withstand what’s thrown at us.
My brother noted the other day that often in big ties we play the first leg at home (in the round of 16 this is usually been self inflicted) but playing the second leg away from home is always a bit of a tough ask. However we got to the final in 2006 after playing Juventus and Villarreal away from home. In Turin the game was a bit of a damp squib that never got going and I think Juve went down to ten men. Villarreal it was a bit of a backs to the wall Jobby, especially as they were awarded a pel (Lehmann saved from Riquelme as I recall)
Well I think if as is assumed we get past Madrid, and as is assumed we play PSG in the semis. We will again play the first leg at home and therefore will probably have to weather a bit of a storm in Paris
Perversely, don’t want it to be too easy for us
If we get through, and that’s still a big if because Real Madrid away is satans playground, then our first leg of the semi is away.
Do I think we’ll win it? No, simply because this is our holy grail and as a fan I find it hard to believe that we’re going to do something that we’ve never done before.
I don't think we will win it either but after Tuesday it just feels a bit less implausible than it did.
If we'd had bought a striker and Gabriel was fit, I'd have put as clear favourites because of the way we play.
Throughout the league stage (which has proven to be a good barometer so far), we were impressive with wins over a flying Sporting (at that time) and PSG. Like HCZ pointed out, we did well against Inter but unfortunately they were rock solid in their defending, especially with our set pieces, which surprised me for an Italian team.
After the league stage I felt Liverpool, Real and Barca were favourites. If we progress past this stage it's then only Barca left.
I'd put us at 50-50, because of the way we play. Currently we'd beat Bayern (who can't defend) and should still beat a much improved PSG.
So yeah, only Barca and Inter beating us wouldn't surprise me....and let's not forget, a final is always a oneoff anyway.
Looking at just the next game, in all seriousness, as good as our win was, I was thinking at the end that a fourth goal would have made it safer
The first 20-odd mins are crucial - if RM score early all bets are off - so we need to avoid conceding at all costs, though obvs can't just park the bus
a tricky game to manage in some ways, but i think Saka should spend his entire time running with the ball at the CBs and just see what how many FKs he can win
Any news on his fitness yet?
Not a worry according to thisOriginally Posted by 21_GOONER_SALUTE
https://paininthearsenal.com/mikel-a...te-real-madrid
Yep, I thought it looked like a case of just taking no chances. He was moving a bit gingerly, and whilst he did receive a kick (I think Real did produce quite a few sly kicks) I think on top of that probably a bit of fatigue where he’s not been used to playing for a few months
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote