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From http://www.thesun.co.uk /article/0,,2002400000-2002441855,00.html
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THIERRY HENRY says that Arsenal will have to beat Real Madrid before they have the true respect of the European Champions.
Yet the Spanish giants are already running scared of Arsene Wenger's team in the wake of Wednesday's 4-0 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven.
But Henry warned: "It is only one game. It's nothing to get too excited about because we are not even through yet. It was a big result for us but I'm not sure what effect it will have on other teams.
"The only way you get respect is when you go to the other team's ground and beat them.
"Teams like Real Madrid, Valencia and Inter Milan have seen it all before. To gain their respect, you first have to win against them."
Real's crushing 6-0 defeat of Genk in the Bernabeu underlined the potential of the Spanish champions.
Yet striker Fernando Morientes insists that Arsenal's amazing win at PSV sent shockwaves throughout Europe.
Morientes said: "Of all four of the English teams that we could face in the later stages of the Champions League, Arsenal are the most dangerous.
"Manchester United is a great club with many important players but Arsenal have a very impressive team this season and they are the side we would ideally like to avoid."
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Now, my opinion...
There's a lot of silly-talk going around from certain people - some (but not all) of them Arsenal fans - that Arsenal can win the Treble.
Well, yes - we *can* win the Treble, but then so could any of the other English teams in the Champion's League. In theory it's certainly possible, but the reality is quite different.
I would think that *anyone*, no matter which team they support, if they put their club bias aside, would have to admit that for the last season-and-a-bit, Arsenal have been playing some of the best football ever seen. It really has been a joy to watch, talking simply from a technical point of view.
Even when we haven't played well, we've drawn or still managed to win. Some people will say we've been lucky, while others will say we've been determined. Whatever you call it, the fact is, we've done what is required.
Now we've beaten PSV 4-0 in their own backyard. That is a great result by anyone's standards, and it's made even better for Arsenal in particular given their away form in Europe in recent seasons.
But let's not forget, PSV did have the ball in the net three times; and although all were given offside, at least one of the 'goals' probably should have stood. On a different day, the result *could* have been very different.
So, we've won one away Euro game in what - two years? And suddenly we're going to win the thing? I'm sorry, but I don't believe that.
Being born in Hackney, which is just a couple of miles from Islington, I've been a Gooner all my life, and I have tremenduos belief in the current squad. I know for a fact that, on our day, we really *can* beat *any* team in Europe - even the world.
Yes, I believe we *can* win the Champion's League. That's a no-brainer, because we have a squad of experienced, high-quality players who are used to high-pressure games. In fact, the only question I've had is *why* we've done so badly away from home for so long.
If you think about it logically, the PSV result shouldn't really have been such a shock, either for us or for the rest of Europe; with the players we have, we *should* have been getting results like that for the last few seasons. Beating PSV *should* have been something we expected, and the scoreline just a pleasant surprise; it shouldn't have been something that we as fans, or Real Madrid, find shocking!
So why don't I think we *will* win it? Consistency. We still need to prove that we can perform like that regularly in Europe. As great as it was, one result doesn't necessarily prove anything. If we win comfortably away to Auxerre next week, and away to Borussia Dortmund, *and* keep up our good record at Highbury, then I will start to think we can do something.
If and when we perform well against the likes of Barcelona, Real, Inter etc. on a regular basis, I will feel more confident about it.
So I will enjoy results like this, and I will shout about them - but I won't be claiming we're going to win the Champion's League - or the Treble - and I'd advise other Arsenal fans not to either.
It's far too early to shout about what we ARE going to win, either in Europe or in domestic competition. Remember how everyone laughed at United a couple of seasons ago because they pre-booked their hotel for the FA Cup Final before the competition even started? That could be us!
Enjoy the team's performances, celebrate the victories, and shout about them as they happen - but don't get smug and cocky about the situation, because you KNOW how quickly things can change.
Just remember how annoyed you felt at the arrogance shown by some Man U fans in 1998 when they were shouting about "we'll get OUR trophy back". And remember how their cockiness and smugness made you want to smack them one.
Don't do the same to Arsenal!
If all this nonsense about "we ARE going to win" carries on, Arsenal and their fans will quickly become disliked. Arsene Wenger can say those things - it's part of his job, to instill that belief in the players. A manager has to believe those things, because if he doesn't, he's wasting his time in the job.
Arsenal have to lose a game at some point, and when they do, the more arrogant the fans have been, the more people will ridicule them. Don't think it won't happen, because it's happening at the moment with Man U.
I want Arsenal to earn respect through their success via entertaining, quality football - not to be given it grudgingly simply because of their success.
I don't want to see us at a point where Mr. Wenger stands on the sidelines chewing gum, with a stopwatch, berating the ref because he didn't give us six minutes of injury time when we were 1-0 down.
We may have a team that plays divine football, but that doesn't mean we have a God-given right to win anything.
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THIERRY HENRY says that Arsenal will have to beat Real Madrid before they have the true respect of the European Champions.
Yet the Spanish giants are already running scared of Arsene Wenger's team in the wake of Wednesday's 4-0 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven.
But Henry warned: "It is only one game. It's nothing to get too excited about because we are not even through yet. It was a big result for us but I'm not sure what effect it will have on other teams.
"The only way you get respect is when you go to the other team's ground and beat them.
"Teams like Real Madrid, Valencia and Inter Milan have seen it all before. To gain their respect, you first have to win against them."
Real's crushing 6-0 defeat of Genk in the Bernabeu underlined the potential of the Spanish champions.
Yet striker Fernando Morientes insists that Arsenal's amazing win at PSV sent shockwaves throughout Europe.
Morientes said: "Of all four of the English teams that we could face in the later stages of the Champions League, Arsenal are the most dangerous.
"Manchester United is a great club with many important players but Arsenal have a very impressive team this season and they are the side we would ideally like to avoid."
-----
Now, my opinion...
There's a lot of silly-talk going around from certain people - some (but not all) of them Arsenal fans - that Arsenal can win the Treble.
Well, yes - we *can* win the Treble, but then so could any of the other English teams in the Champion's League. In theory it's certainly possible, but the reality is quite different.
I would think that *anyone*, no matter which team they support, if they put their club bias aside, would have to admit that for the last season-and-a-bit, Arsenal have been playing some of the best football ever seen. It really has been a joy to watch, talking simply from a technical point of view.
Even when we haven't played well, we've drawn or still managed to win. Some people will say we've been lucky, while others will say we've been determined. Whatever you call it, the fact is, we've done what is required.
Now we've beaten PSV 4-0 in their own backyard. That is a great result by anyone's standards, and it's made even better for Arsenal in particular given their away form in Europe in recent seasons.
But let's not forget, PSV did have the ball in the net three times; and although all were given offside, at least one of the 'goals' probably should have stood. On a different day, the result *could* have been very different.
So, we've won one away Euro game in what - two years? And suddenly we're going to win the thing? I'm sorry, but I don't believe that.
Being born in Hackney, which is just a couple of miles from Islington, I've been a Gooner all my life, and I have tremenduos belief in the current squad. I know for a fact that, on our day, we really *can* beat *any* team in Europe - even the world.
Yes, I believe we *can* win the Champion's League. That's a no-brainer, because we have a squad of experienced, high-quality players who are used to high-pressure games. In fact, the only question I've had is *why* we've done so badly away from home for so long.
If you think about it logically, the PSV result shouldn't really have been such a shock, either for us or for the rest of Europe; with the players we have, we *should* have been getting results like that for the last few seasons. Beating PSV *should* have been something we expected, and the scoreline just a pleasant surprise; it shouldn't have been something that we as fans, or Real Madrid, find shocking!
So why don't I think we *will* win it? Consistency. We still need to prove that we can perform like that regularly in Europe. As great as it was, one result doesn't necessarily prove anything. If we win comfortably away to Auxerre next week, and away to Borussia Dortmund, *and* keep up our good record at Highbury, then I will start to think we can do something.
If and when we perform well against the likes of Barcelona, Real, Inter etc. on a regular basis, I will feel more confident about it.
So I will enjoy results like this, and I will shout about them - but I won't be claiming we're going to win the Champion's League - or the Treble - and I'd advise other Arsenal fans not to either.
It's far too early to shout about what we ARE going to win, either in Europe or in domestic competition. Remember how everyone laughed at United a couple of seasons ago because they pre-booked their hotel for the FA Cup Final before the competition even started? That could be us!
Enjoy the team's performances, celebrate the victories, and shout about them as they happen - but don't get smug and cocky about the situation, because you KNOW how quickly things can change.
Just remember how annoyed you felt at the arrogance shown by some Man U fans in 1998 when they were shouting about "we'll get OUR trophy back". And remember how their cockiness and smugness made you want to smack them one.
Don't do the same to Arsenal!
If all this nonsense about "we ARE going to win" carries on, Arsenal and their fans will quickly become disliked. Arsene Wenger can say those things - it's part of his job, to instill that belief in the players. A manager has to believe those things, because if he doesn't, he's wasting his time in the job.
Arsenal have to lose a game at some point, and when they do, the more arrogant the fans have been, the more people will ridicule them. Don't think it won't happen, because it's happening at the moment with Man U.
I want Arsenal to earn respect through their success via entertaining, quality football - not to be given it grudgingly simply because of their success.
I don't want to see us at a point where Mr. Wenger stands on the sidelines chewing gum, with a stopwatch, berating the ref because he didn't give us six minutes of injury time when we were 1-0 down.
We may have a team that plays divine football, but that doesn't mean we have a God-given right to win anything.
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Hmm... interesting...
Arsenal are currently 2nd favourites (at 9/2) behind Real Madrid (at 11/4) to win the Champion's League - according to Ladbrokes.
I think that's a bit hopeful, but it proves that the Arsenal fans aren't the only ones who think they have a chance.
Arsenal are currently 2nd favourites (at 9/2) behind Real Madrid (at 11/4) to win the Champion's League - according to Ladbrokes.
I think that's a bit hopeful, but it proves that the Arsenal fans aren't the only ones who think they have a chance.
That just shows what Mr. Neville knows about football!
GOODBYE leeds
And after Gary neville's comments
I think Arsenal in that 1998-99 season were at a fantastic level of play, but I don't think they have improved since then.
"They were a fantastic side four years ago and we found it very difficult against them. It took something special in the end to beat them in the FA Cup semi-final.
"For me that Arsenal team was a better team than the one they've got now.
"Don't get me wrong, this Arsenal team is a great side. But the one that played in 98-99 was better."
he can go stuff it.
And after Gary neville's comments
I think Arsenal in that 1998-99 season were at a fantastic level of play, but I don't think they have improved since then.
"They were a fantastic side four years ago and we found it very difficult against them. It took something special in the end to beat them in the FA Cup semi-final.
"For me that Arsenal team was a better team than the one they've got now.
"Don't get me wrong, this Arsenal team is a great side. But the one that played in 98-99 was better."
he can go stuff it.
Ah, I'd forgotten about the Chelsea game.. it was a terrible shame West Ham didn't beat you though.
Still, away to Leeds today, which is an excellent time to end your 22 game unbeaten away run.
Aditionally, El Tel had this to say:
from www.sportal.co.uk (he didn't say that bit)
"I think, maybe, for the first time they've a real chance to actually go all the way (in the Champions League)."
If that happened then I think it would be fair to say Arsene Wenger would go down as a great manager.
Certainly, over the six years he can be truly delighted with what he has done, and they are the team of the moment.
I saw them on Wednesday (in Eindhoven) and they were excellent, top class. They are at the top of their game.
They're a good team, but then they've been a good team for a long while, but after six years they're better than they've been before. They're just playing with a supreme confidence."
Still, away to Leeds today, which is an excellent time to end your 22 game unbeaten away run.
Aditionally, El Tel had this to say:
from www.sportal.co.uk (he didn't say that bit)
"I think, maybe, for the first time they've a real chance to actually go all the way (in the Champions League)."
If that happened then I think it would be fair to say Arsene Wenger would go down as a great manager.
Certainly, over the six years he can be truly delighted with what he has done, and they are the team of the moment.
I saw them on Wednesday (in Eindhoven) and they were excellent, top class. They are at the top of their game.
They're a good team, but then they've been a good team for a long while, but after six years they're better than they've been before. They're just playing with a supreme confidence."
Ah yes, but it showed how good our keeper is :-D
Aye, if only Kanoute had scored that penalty when it was 2-0...
Could have completly turned West Ham's situation from what it is now...
Could have completly turned West Ham's situation from what it is now...
VenomByte wrote:
> One thing I will say is that I'm not sure how Arsenal will react if
> they're behind in a match. They aren't getting enough practice at it
> :)
1-0 down to Chelsea, 2-0 down to West Ham? Both drawn games eventually.
> One thing I will say is that I'm not sure how Arsenal will react if
> they're behind in a match. They aren't getting enough practice at it
> :)
1-0 down to Chelsea, 2-0 down to West Ham? Both drawn games eventually.
...
...
Man U smell!
...
Man U smell!
El blokey wrote:
> You only won the treble thanks to the loophole 'play injury time until
> Man Utd win' against Munich. Your days of dominance in England are
> over...succumb to the Goon Army!
Pah, there were well under three minutes of time added on by the time we'd sewn up the match...
> You only won the treble thanks to the loophole 'play injury time until
> Man Utd win' against Munich. Your days of dominance in England are
> over...succumb to the Goon Army!
Pah, there were well under three minutes of time added on by the time we'd sewn up the match...
I will honestly be suprised if Arsenal fail to reach the Semi final stages of the champions league this season. They have been playing very well, and more importantly they've been consistent. How long is it since they last lost a match now? The last few seasons Arsenal have struggled in Europe, but I think this time around they have enough experience to go a long way. United used to consistently go out early in the champions league, but after a few years they got the experience needed, and now consistently reach the quarter final stages or further.
I think Arsenal have spent long enough underachieving in Europe, this will be the season things swing in their favour. The team has a depth which United don't have at the moment (except for our midfield perhaps), and that is key.
One thing I will say is that I'm not sure how Arsenal will react if they're behind in a match. They aren't getting enough practice at it :)
I think Arsenal have spent long enough underachieving in Europe, this will be the season things swing in their favour. The team has a depth which United don't have at the moment (except for our midfield perhaps), and that is key.
One thing I will say is that I'm not sure how Arsenal will react if they're behind in a match. They aren't getting enough practice at it :)
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