Post by Salem6 on Oct 23, 2003 10:27:03 GMT
Arsenal Lost In Europe
I don't know why I do it. On the Tuesdays when Arsenal play in their Champions League games, I stay up to watch the delayed broadcast here in SA and each time I am in bed after 20 minutes because the football is so dire.
Last night was no exception. I ended up watching the highlights of Italy vs Canada in the Rugby World Cup. The action was far more entertaining.
Now I'm no Arsenal fan. I'm no Man U fan either but at least Man U can play football and have ideas. Arsenal in Europe are like watching a Sunday league outfit with no clue where the goal is. I tune in each time these guys play CL footy because I believe that they are up there with the best teams in Europe and can compete. But time after time I am wrong
They are amateurs in Europe and there is no way they can say they are better than Man U, domestically or otherwise. Look at the record.
Too frustrated to write any more..
Duncan Lee
...I am not going to slag off the Arsenal players, despite Wiltord and Gilberto's best efforts to make me.
However, players with vast amounts of domestic/European/world football experience should know how to adapt their game when the situation demands.
Arsenal don't play a typical game, but as has been proved it can be easy (ish) to stifle their creative play and nullify the threat. Once the attacks down the wing are snuffed out, there is no alternative - we don't play the long-ball game, there are no crosses (of any worth) into the box, and set pieces are appalling.
Henry and Pires should not be taking corners - leave them to someone who can beat the first defender, e.g. Edu or Ashley Cole even.
The defending is not clever enough - Inter's defenders showed how to do it at Highbury, when under pressure they forced a free-kick, thus eliminating the immediate danger. Arsenal need to play either more like their European (i.e. Italian) counterparts, playing not to lose, or to forget all that and blitz the opposition in the first 20 minutes, like they do in the Premiership.
Arsenal appear too reticent in the early parts of European games, lose the ball too often in these games and only start to play their natural game too late on. Arsenal can be a great European side, they have the talent and the potential to do that, but only once they realise that and prove it.
As I said, I'm not going to slag off individuals - but Wiltord, for Christ's sake either learn offside or play five-a-side. Either that or leave in January and give Aliadiere a chance.
At one point in last night's game Henry looked at him as if to say "What were you thinking?" when he ran five yards clear before the pass was made.
If he is short of confidence as is suggested, then play him wide on the right, don't put him in a position where game after game, his confidence sinks lower after each missed chance, and more likely every offside decision.
Malcolm McDonald, Nottingham
Looking On The Bright Side
I almost wanted to go back to sleep when Arsenal was trailing 1-0 at half time. I stuck with them though. And was rewarded with a Lehmann's howler mid-way through the second half. I kept my patience still. Mid-week Champions League nights have been frustrating ones for all Gooners like me lately.
And finally I saw the fighting Gunners at the European front.
Yes, we may not have won the match. Yes, we may have still been rooted at the bottom of the group. But I can truly see the Gunners bouncing back in the second half of the group stage, luck granted.
The old Gunners was never quite able to come back from behind to win a match. Their game plan was always to score before their opponents would ever set foot on the pitch. This had proved effective until late last season when their defence couldn't hold the lead at home, and their strikers couldn't get the opening goals in Europe.
This has changed though. They held Man Utd when they couldn't score. They kept scoring against Newcastle until they outscored them. They came back from behind to beat Liverpool at Anfield. And they did not let their spirit be punctured by a brilliant Crespo leveller and were duly rewarded for being a better team than Chelsea.
They were definitely playing the best of their football in Europe over the past ten months in the second half at Kiev last night. The players were still the same. But I can see that the fighting spirit was restored.
They did not give in easily as we saw all too often during the last European campaign. They still managed to keep the attacking rhythm despite the ticking of clock towards the end of the match.
So it was just bad luck that they didn't get the leveller, maybe even the winner. But with this kind of second-half performance, the Gunners would surely win the next two games at home, and in with a good chance at the San Siro showdown.
Go Gunners go!
Clarence, Arsenal
Arsenal Show English Weakness
Arsenal's continual failure in the Champions League is treated as a surprise but I think that it serves as a damning indictment of the Premiership.
Arsenal fielded the same squad that battled a draw against United, punished Newcastle, floored Liverpool and humbled the Chelski money men. Leading
the table, Arsenal have beaten all rivals so far without even hitting form.
The best of the English elite have already been put to the sword by Wenger's men, but a side currently second in the Ukrainian league showed Arsenal how to play football on Tuesday night.
Before every game, United, Chelsea and Arsenal are predicted wins in the Champions league by every pundit and sports writer. After their last outing, all three English contenders in the European competition were shown that there are big gaps in the English game.
The three sides, riddled with players earning the price of an average house every month, are shown that technique, desire, pace, drive, creativity, ingenuity and team work all exist in larger portions throughout the smallest of European football clubs.
The English offerings in the Champions league are seen as contenders because our domestic league seems so exciting, but in reality we have a league of over-paid actors, none of whom have the bottle to raise their game against inspired opposition.
We have been turning our league in to a soap opera over the last few years, with star players earning fortunes, acting up, and looking beautiful, while the media seek to hype everything up and condemn them all to hell once the stars have fallen from their crest.
It is no wonder we come undone with trips abroad. Until everyone involved in football understand its sporting importance and place entertainment second, our teams will continue to disappoint in Europe's top competition.
Alex
Time For Wenger To Go?
Another week, another crap result.
When are Arsenal going to get rid of Wenger? He consistantly fails at European level...
I'm a United fan, but I'm not gloating (honest!) I just can't understand how he hasn't moulded a very good side together by now. The talent that he's had at the club - but still rubbish in Europe, and not even getting close. Forget about the fact that they can win in England.
I notice that Kluivert has been linked, but surely they already have the players? Do Valencia or Deportivo go out and buy.....probably not because they haven't got the money, but they've both got a better record in Europe than Arsenal
The same goes for Chelski and Ranieri, although having said that, maybe he should be given a bit more time to see if the latest new players can gel.
John, Melbourne, United and England
Chelsea Fan Laughing
I was just wondering how Arsenal fan Boghos, who was so quick to write in and brag on Monday, is feeling this morning. So much for classy Arsenal. It was nice
to see them taken down a peg especially after reading arrogant comments from people like Boghos. I hope you're crying into your cornflakes this morning.
Jonathan Fox, Sittingbourne, Chelsea fan
PS - Jeff Stelling in last night's soccer special,after Henry scores: "If only Arsenal had 11 Henrys - imagine how that would be....mind you, they wouldn't have much of a defence. Although some would say that's already the case...not me though!"
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Now let's hear what you've got to say about this story... or anything else happening in the world of football. Send your opinions, rants, praise or abuse to theeditor@football365.com
I don't know why I do it. On the Tuesdays when Arsenal play in their Champions League games, I stay up to watch the delayed broadcast here in SA and each time I am in bed after 20 minutes because the football is so dire.
Last night was no exception. I ended up watching the highlights of Italy vs Canada in the Rugby World Cup. The action was far more entertaining.
Now I'm no Arsenal fan. I'm no Man U fan either but at least Man U can play football and have ideas. Arsenal in Europe are like watching a Sunday league outfit with no clue where the goal is. I tune in each time these guys play CL footy because I believe that they are up there with the best teams in Europe and can compete. But time after time I am wrong
They are amateurs in Europe and there is no way they can say they are better than Man U, domestically or otherwise. Look at the record.
Too frustrated to write any more..
Duncan Lee
...I am not going to slag off the Arsenal players, despite Wiltord and Gilberto's best efforts to make me.
However, players with vast amounts of domestic/European/world football experience should know how to adapt their game when the situation demands.
Arsenal don't play a typical game, but as has been proved it can be easy (ish) to stifle their creative play and nullify the threat. Once the attacks down the wing are snuffed out, there is no alternative - we don't play the long-ball game, there are no crosses (of any worth) into the box, and set pieces are appalling.
Henry and Pires should not be taking corners - leave them to someone who can beat the first defender, e.g. Edu or Ashley Cole even.
The defending is not clever enough - Inter's defenders showed how to do it at Highbury, when under pressure they forced a free-kick, thus eliminating the immediate danger. Arsenal need to play either more like their European (i.e. Italian) counterparts, playing not to lose, or to forget all that and blitz the opposition in the first 20 minutes, like they do in the Premiership.
Arsenal appear too reticent in the early parts of European games, lose the ball too often in these games and only start to play their natural game too late on. Arsenal can be a great European side, they have the talent and the potential to do that, but only once they realise that and prove it.
As I said, I'm not going to slag off individuals - but Wiltord, for Christ's sake either learn offside or play five-a-side. Either that or leave in January and give Aliadiere a chance.
At one point in last night's game Henry looked at him as if to say "What were you thinking?" when he ran five yards clear before the pass was made.
If he is short of confidence as is suggested, then play him wide on the right, don't put him in a position where game after game, his confidence sinks lower after each missed chance, and more likely every offside decision.
Malcolm McDonald, Nottingham
Looking On The Bright Side
I almost wanted to go back to sleep when Arsenal was trailing 1-0 at half time. I stuck with them though. And was rewarded with a Lehmann's howler mid-way through the second half. I kept my patience still. Mid-week Champions League nights have been frustrating ones for all Gooners like me lately.
And finally I saw the fighting Gunners at the European front.
Yes, we may not have won the match. Yes, we may have still been rooted at the bottom of the group. But I can truly see the Gunners bouncing back in the second half of the group stage, luck granted.
The old Gunners was never quite able to come back from behind to win a match. Their game plan was always to score before their opponents would ever set foot on the pitch. This had proved effective until late last season when their defence couldn't hold the lead at home, and their strikers couldn't get the opening goals in Europe.
This has changed though. They held Man Utd when they couldn't score. They kept scoring against Newcastle until they outscored them. They came back from behind to beat Liverpool at Anfield. And they did not let their spirit be punctured by a brilliant Crespo leveller and were duly rewarded for being a better team than Chelsea.
They were definitely playing the best of their football in Europe over the past ten months in the second half at Kiev last night. The players were still the same. But I can see that the fighting spirit was restored.
They did not give in easily as we saw all too often during the last European campaign. They still managed to keep the attacking rhythm despite the ticking of clock towards the end of the match.
So it was just bad luck that they didn't get the leveller, maybe even the winner. But with this kind of second-half performance, the Gunners would surely win the next two games at home, and in with a good chance at the San Siro showdown.
Go Gunners go!
Clarence, Arsenal
Arsenal Show English Weakness
Arsenal's continual failure in the Champions League is treated as a surprise but I think that it serves as a damning indictment of the Premiership.
Arsenal fielded the same squad that battled a draw against United, punished Newcastle, floored Liverpool and humbled the Chelski money men. Leading
the table, Arsenal have beaten all rivals so far without even hitting form.
The best of the English elite have already been put to the sword by Wenger's men, but a side currently second in the Ukrainian league showed Arsenal how to play football on Tuesday night.
Before every game, United, Chelsea and Arsenal are predicted wins in the Champions league by every pundit and sports writer. After their last outing, all three English contenders in the European competition were shown that there are big gaps in the English game.
The three sides, riddled with players earning the price of an average house every month, are shown that technique, desire, pace, drive, creativity, ingenuity and team work all exist in larger portions throughout the smallest of European football clubs.
The English offerings in the Champions league are seen as contenders because our domestic league seems so exciting, but in reality we have a league of over-paid actors, none of whom have the bottle to raise their game against inspired opposition.
We have been turning our league in to a soap opera over the last few years, with star players earning fortunes, acting up, and looking beautiful, while the media seek to hype everything up and condemn them all to hell once the stars have fallen from their crest.
It is no wonder we come undone with trips abroad. Until everyone involved in football understand its sporting importance and place entertainment second, our teams will continue to disappoint in Europe's top competition.
Alex
Time For Wenger To Go?
Another week, another crap result.
When are Arsenal going to get rid of Wenger? He consistantly fails at European level...
I'm a United fan, but I'm not gloating (honest!) I just can't understand how he hasn't moulded a very good side together by now. The talent that he's had at the club - but still rubbish in Europe, and not even getting close. Forget about the fact that they can win in England.
I notice that Kluivert has been linked, but surely they already have the players? Do Valencia or Deportivo go out and buy.....probably not because they haven't got the money, but they've both got a better record in Europe than Arsenal
The same goes for Chelski and Ranieri, although having said that, maybe he should be given a bit more time to see if the latest new players can gel.
John, Melbourne, United and England
Chelsea Fan Laughing
I was just wondering how Arsenal fan Boghos, who was so quick to write in and brag on Monday, is feeling this morning. So much for classy Arsenal. It was nice
to see them taken down a peg especially after reading arrogant comments from people like Boghos. I hope you're crying into your cornflakes this morning.
Jonathan Fox, Sittingbourne, Chelsea fan
PS - Jeff Stelling in last night's soccer special,after Henry scores: "If only Arsenal had 11 Henrys - imagine how that would be....mind you, they wouldn't have much of a defence. Although some would say that's already the case...not me though!"
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Now let's hear what you've got to say about this story... or anything else happening in the world of football. Send your opinions, rants, praise or abuse to theeditor@football365.com
