Arsenal -v- Porto Tues 9/3

Frisbee

So Cesc is out of this one.

Gallas is out and Sol is still a worry but I'd imagine he'll get the nod.

Unfortunately I just can't see us doing this without Cesc.

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Almunia

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Eboue

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Vermaelen

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Campbell

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Clichy

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Diaby

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Song

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Nasri

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Walcott

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Bendtner

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Arshavin


I'm going with Eboue over Sagna as Wenger likes to play him against the smaller teams as he's better going forward and we really need some goals in this tie.

Rosicky and Nasri are fairly interchangeable but I'd prefer Nasri in the middle myself.

Royale with Cheese

Yeah got a bad feeling about this one. 1-1.

JPA

Porto have lost 11 and drawn 2 out of 13 games in England in the Champions League. I can't see Arsenal not going through.

L'prof

Frisbee wrote: »

Unfortunately I just can't see us doing this without Cesc.

Have a little faith, we're at home to Porto. They played out of their skin in the Estádio do Dragão and were still very fortunate to win. I think we'll have their number tomorrow!

cson

Dosen't bother me either way. As has been mentioned in the Arsenal megathread; once we come up against United/Chelsea/Barca we're going to be knocked out in all reality. I'd like to have another couple of matches to watch in the CL but equally if we don't get a result against Porto I would be distraught; we can switch focus totally on the league which we still have a reasonable chance of winning thanks to the run in.

kryogen

i certainly wish you the best of luck against Porto, i hope ye have at least another 2 games in this competition

L'prof

kryogen wrote: »

i certainly wish you the best of luck against Porto, i hope ye have at least another 2 games in this competition

I hope so too, I think we were very unlucky in the first game. Should have had a penalty shortly before their second goal and I feel 2 away goals would have been more than enough!

gingelion

Bendtner and Rosicky with a goal each to put us through.

Roaster

I think we'll need to score 3 tomorrow to win. I just cannot see us keeping a clean sheet. Having said that Nasri and a brace from Bender.

kronsington

lads can someone explain to me

1. what exactly is the deal with sagna? is he injured or just out of form or what?

2. will arshavin be fit to start?

there is enough quality in the side to progress. having song back after suspension is a big boost

SlickRic

no cesc?

and Porto will score.

this has ET written all over it for me.

and due to Almunia's sh*tness, Arsenal to go out on penalties IMO.

cson

SlickRic wrote: »

no cesc?

and Porto will score.

this has ET written all over it for me.

and due to Almunia's sh*tness, Arsenal to go out on penalties IMO.

Ok I'll take it you don't follow Arsenal; Almunia is very good at stopping penalties. If anything; I'd be more confident if he was between the sticks for a shootout.

gingelion

Sagna had a shoulder injury a while back, could still be bothering him. To be honest though I think Eboue is more of an attacking threat than Sagna atm. Neither of them are fantastic crossers but eboue does loike to run at the defenders. And that little backheel to set up cesc for a shot at the wkend was lovely.

keano_afc

Can see us winning this, even without Cesc. Having Song back is a boost and Nasri looked much more comfortable in the middle on Saturday. I'd start him back there with Diaby and Song and play Theo, Arshavin and Bendtner as the front 3.

Pepe LeFrits

Even without Cesc we should still have too much for them. This Porto side really isn't very good at all.

Almunia
Sagna Campbell Vermaelen Clichy
Song
Diaby Nasri
Walcott Bendtner Arshavin

3-0 win.

leninbenjamin

As I said in the other thread I'd rather Rosicky start in CM than Nasri. Not much between them, but Nasri just looses the head a little bit and can be very naive. Considering Arsenal are already under pressure here I think Rosicky's experience would be a lot more valuable to the team.

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Almunia

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Sagna--Campbell-Vermaelen-Clichy

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Song

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Rosicky----Diaby

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Walcott

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Arshavin

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Bentdner

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Hope Diaby plays a blinder, he always seems to play better than usual when Cesc is absent.

Anyway, I fancy both teams to score, but Arsenal have more than enough quality to dispense with them easily. Hopefully they'll keep their composure, take their chances and stay alert for the counter. 3-1 perhaps.

thorbarry

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Even without Cesc we should still have too much for them. This Porto side really isn't very good at all.

Almunia
Sagna Campbell Vermaelen Clichy
Song
Diaby Nasri
Walcott Bendtner Arshavin

3-0 win.

Thats the team right there, It'd be good to see Rosicky in there, but at the moment i think Nasri and Arshavin are betters options. Maybe bring him on at 60 when we're up by 2 goals :P

Roaster

leninbenjamin wrote: »

As I said in the other thread I'd rather Rosicky start in CM than Nasri. Not much between them, but Nasri just looses the head a little bit and can be very naive. Considering Arsenal are already under pressure here I think Rosicky's experience would be a lot more valuable to the team.

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Almunia

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Sagna--Campbell-Vermaelen-Clichy

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Song

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Rosicky----Diaby

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Walcott

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Arshavin

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Bentdner

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Hope Diaby plays a blinder, he always seems to play better than usual when Cesc is absent.

Anyway, I fancy both teams to score, but Arsenal have more than enough quality to dispense with them easily. Hopefully they'll keep their composure, take their chances and stay alert for the counter. 3-1 perhaps.

Wenger has been raving about Nasri in the press over the last two days. He will definitely start.

Ush1

Porto actually set up fairly aggressive away from home. Lots of attacking players so should be an interesting game. As the cliché goes, first goal is crucial.

Paleface

I think Arsenal should have too much for Porto at home.

Going for a 2-0 win.

DvB

I have to admit i have mixed feelings towards this game, whereas i feel The Arsenal have a far stronger side than Porto like a previous poster mentioned would going out at this stage be a blessing in disguise or a disaster?

A convincing win would help no doubt boost the squads confidence which could be brought into the next few league games, whilst also boosting the clubs coffers which would certainly be welcomed, however as also mentioned by a previous poster if The Arsenal were to be knocked out tonight would it actually help the remainder of the league campaign seeing as should they draw either of the other English sides or Barca they'll most likely go out anyway? Less games in europe would certainly help with the injury situation in terms of less travel & fatigue etc which surely would help a realistic league challenge given the remaining fixtures?

Whereas i hope The Arsenal actually get that convincing win & go through with no great problems i wouldnt be overly worried if they can use such an occurence as a defeat as a positive for the remainder of the season as personally speaking i'd love to see them nip the league away from Chelsea & Manchester United.

L'prof

Personally, I don't buy into all this nonsense about it being beneficial to Arsenal to go out of the CL tonight. I think we'll have too much for Porto, although it will be tough! We have as big a chance of winning this as we do the league and you can be certain that Wenger won't prioritise one over the other!

leninbenjamin

Looking to go out in the CL at this stage is silly talk.

First there is the financial implications. I think the quarters are worth about €5m. in TV, matchday revenue and prize money. Probably more in terms of the knock-on effects the CL has in terms of reputation.

Second is the effect on morale; going out in the first knock-out round is never a good thing. Maybe if it were a higher profile team, but going out to a team like Porto would seriously mess with the morale in the squad and would do more damage than good to the title chances imo.

Thirdly, the biggest fixture ****ups are caused by the FA Cup and any possible replays. CL and league alone is fairly manageable in terms of rotation imo. Now that we've gone out of the cup so early we're a game ahead, not behind so it's not too bad.

Frisbee

Just realised we're on Tv3 tonight. fml

L'prof

Frisbee wrote: »

Just realised we're on Tv3 tonight. fml

No TV3 or you just hate their broadcasts like everyone else?

Galvasean

I'm thinking 2-1 to Arsenal and extra time. Possibly penalties. If it goes to penos I'd fancy Arsenal as Almunia is actually a very good peno stopper (good for something at least).

Frisbee

jasonorr wrote: »

No TV3 or you just hate their broadcasts like everyone else?

I hate TV3

L'prof

Frisbee wrote: »

I hate TV3

Setanta are equally as bad though to be fair!

Frisbee

jasonorr wrote: »

Setanta are equally as bad though to be fair!

True. I was hoping for Bill and the lads.

L'prof

Frisbee wrote: »

True. I was hoping for Bill and the lads.

Nah, saving themselves for the United game unfortunately! As long as the matches are on tv, I won't complain too much though!

gingelion

If your in dublin come watch it in kate's cottage. Always full of us gooners so the atmosphere makes up for the ****ty tv3 coverage.

Frisbee

jasonorr wrote: »

Nah, saving themselves for the United game unfortunately! As long as the matches are on tv, I won't complain too much though!

Yeah that's fair enough. I'm always complaining about missing PL games or crappy streams so should be thankful this is actually on telly.

Bukman13

Frisbee wrote: »

Just realised we're on Tv3 tonight. fml

jasonorr wrote: »

No TV3 or you just hate their broadcasts like everyone else?

Frisbee wrote: »

I hate TV3

They have a frequent habit which involves their commentary being at least 3 seconds ahead of the picture. Bunch of jokers.

As for the match,

I would expect Arsenal, playing at home to get through tonight, although Fabregas will be a massive loss. But one moment of quality could be enough to put Arsenal through.

First goal may prove crucial and if Porto get it they will more than likey sit back on hit Arsenal on the counter. Porto are always dangerous in attack so Arsenal will need to put in a solid performance in defense.

Pepe LeFrits

At least you lot have the option. I'm over in the UK at the moment and have to go to the pub for it. Trouble is the only pub I've found so far has had karaoke on at 9pm every time I've been in for a game...

L'prof

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

At least you lot have the option. I'm over in the UK at the moment and have to go to the pub for it. Trouble is the only pub I've found so far has had karaoke on at 9pm every time I've been in for a game...

I downloaded Sopcast there last week and the picture quality is very good so, that's an option too!

Pepe LeFrits

Looks like Rosicky might start ahead of Arshavin. Educated guess based on the noises Arsene made at the press conference...

leninbenjamin

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

At least you lot have the option. I'm over in the UK at the moment and have to go to the pub for it. Trouble is the only pub I've found so far has had karaoke on at 9pm every time I've been in for a game...

You're in the UK and you only found one pub? I don't think you're looking hard enough chip!

Pepe LeFrits

Small town.

Pepe LeFrits

... but I used to live in East London and none of the pubs in the area showed football! Couldn't afford the Sky license.

leninbenjamin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kUmwI54Zu8

Pepe LeFrits

!?

leninbenjamin

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

!?

Attempting to point out the benefits of public transport in a patronising fashion.

Pepe LeFrits

Costs me the guts of £20 to get to and from London every time, cheeky bollix!

leninbenjamin

Harrumph. Isn't it well for some that they have £20 to spend on some fancy dancy bus.

ForeverYoung90

There is a retard next to sitting next to me who thinks that Arsenal only need to win 1-0 tonight to go through....I'm trying to tell him that won't be enough,they must win 2-0 on the night and 2-1 to the Gunners will obviously bring it to extra time!
Some help me!!!

L'prof

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

There is a retard next to sitting next to me who thinks that Arsenal only need to win 1-0 tonight to go through....I'm trying to tell him that won't be enough,they must win 2-0 on the night and 2-1 to the Gunners will obviously bring it to extra time!
Some help me!!!

We have an away goal, you are wrong, sorry!

deisedevil

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

There is a retard next to sitting next to me who thinks that Arsenal only need to win 1-0 tonight to go through....I'm trying to tell him that won't be enough,they must win 2-0 on the night and 2-1 to the Gunners will obviously bring it to extra time!
Some help me!!!

ULTIMATE FAIL! lmfao!

Paleface

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

There is a retard next to sitting next to me who thinks that Arsenal only need to win 1-0 tonight to go through....I'm trying to tell him that won't be enough,they must win 2-0 on the night and 2-1 to the Gunners will obviously bring it to extra time!
Some help me!!!

Yes you do need help!

Frisbee

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

There is a retard next to sitting next to me who thinks that Arsenal only need to win 1-0 tonight to go through....I'm trying to tell him that won't be enough,they must win 2-0 on the night and 2-1 to the Gunners will obviously bring it to extra time!
Some help me!!!

Lol...

SantryRed

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

There is a retard next to sitting next to me who thinks that Arsenal only need to win 1-0 tonight to go through....I'm trying to tell him that won't be enough,they must win 2-0 on the night and 2-1 to the Gunners will obviously bring it to extra time!
Some help me!!!

Is it a mirror you're sitting beside?

ForeverYoung90

deisedevil wrote: »

ULTIMATE FAIL! lmfao!

My bad,my bad .....I must get my calculator out :P..that retared was right!:rolleyes: