The match at the San Siro on Tuesday was perhaps the greatest game I’ve been to. Arriving an hour before kick off, the scene was immense. The Stadium is colossal, think 28,000 seats on top of The Emirates, factor in the fact it has as much History as Highbury and you probably get about half as good an idea as what it’s like.. It soars above Milan, it’s roof held but giant red girders, it’s pitch next to the stands, and classic orange plastic seats nailed to what essentially remains terracing.
Inside the atmosphere was immense. When AC came out to warm out, to the strains of Queen (some aspects of football are the same the world over), the noise was louder than anything I’ve ever heard at a football ground. The middle tier, which looked so full as though to suggest it was all standing, moved as one, jumping and shouting. Confetti rained downed, as they cheered footage of Inzaghi beating the scouser's, and Kaka lifting the world player of the year trophy. When the Arsenal fans made noise it was, before kick off drowned out in an immense whistling. It was going to be a big ask, but we, and I include the epic traveling support, gave the biggest of big performances.
Cesc was farking awesome. He made Kaka look limited., showing more passing, more movement, more control and eventually shooting than him. Flamini Pato-wned half of the Milan side by himself. Pirlo was peripheral, whilst Diaby was elegant and brutal in equal measures. Hleb was almost as good as Fabregas, whilst Adebayor made Oddo and Nesta look like kids. The way he literally exploded between them into the box at one stage was remarkable. Senderos was again faultless. The guy has now played Juventus, Madrid and AC Milan 6 times, and never conceded. The Arsenal Boys, high up in the Italian night were just as good. I was sitting with Milan fans, who knew well and truly they were being out sung and out0chanted, with one sat next to me (ominously wearing a tee-shirt that said KILAN on the front) reduced to gesturing furiously at the Gooners, before lamenting his own fans support.
But enough of a game I could talk about for he rest of my life. From the Guiseppe Meazza we head to the JJB Stadium. From the home of fashion and pasta to the home of rugby league and pies. From now on though every game must be as Milan was. Three points on a weekend when United and Chelsea play in the cup is a must. Finally, with RVP, Rosicky, Touré, Walcott and Bendtner out of the line up we have competition. Kolo won’t walk back in, and nor will Rosicky. RVP may if we go with 442, but Walcott has, in the past 3 games, scored 2 and got an assist.
The players must know we have the potential to win big this year. There is NO bigger stage than the one they graced so magnificently. If we play like we did then the players are months from greatness. It must start with 3 points again this weekend.
By Nathan Grower
Following on from Nathan's write up, all that is really left is to look at are the team line ups and being Arsenal we have the usual sicknote waving shenanigans. As well as the long term treatment table hugging Eduardo being out, messrs King Kolo Touré, Tomáš Rosický and Alex Song are all out but not happy with that now Theo Walcott (FFS!) and Abou Diaby join that long list of absentees just to make sure all the beds are being used in the Robin van Persie Wing of The Arsenal injury room. However, there is some good news as the blow of Theo Walcott's absence is softened as one Robin van Persie is back. The Dutch Master played for an hour in a 'behind closed doors' match up against our American arm of Arsenal - Colorado Rapids. Le Gaffer Arsène Wenger OBE reckons it's too early for Ol' Snake Hips to actually start at the JJB but I think we'll definitely see the youngster get a cameo from from the bench, I can't wait!
Three points is the asking against northern monkeys t'Wigan Athletic on Sunday, however I think if we get an early goal we'll likely to give them a tonking (especially if we play how we know we can play) but it might be difficult. The reason I say that is because The Arsenal might find their flowing football could be restricted on the JJB's surface which is more suited to rugby than it is to football - bloody northern monkeys, always trying it on. Onto the Wigan team and the only danger men I can see really is Marlon King (why did he join them?) and that big brute Emile Heskey. But really we should be caning this bunch who sit in 14th place on 27 points and only two points of the relegation battle - but then again we did think that against dirty bstad's Birmingham City. Wigan have a patchy record and have only won two out of their last six but being the names on that list are West Ham and Derby it's not exactly going to send shivers down your back.
Any road up, back to us, I reckon Le Gaffer will deploy the famous 4-4-2 formation and try and get amongst t'Wigan. We need to go for the throat and smash them early. Depending how the game goes one or two players could even get a well deserved rest. But hopefully Le Gaffer will play the first team get a result and not take a leaf out of Rafa Benitez's book by resting his number one players, stare a crap result in the face and then forced to wipe the egg from his face and sport the team he should of done in the first place. But as we all know Arsène Wenger isn't Rafa - TF! By the way if you hadn't of guessed it I'm referring Le Gaffer resting Flamini (to name one) and playing Gilberto instead. I've got nothing against Gilberto Gooners, he's been a terrific servant to the club, got nothing but admiration, I just don't think his style fits into the Arsenal's playing style where they push the opposition high up the pitch and force them back.
But anyhoo I digress, with Walcott and Diaby missing there's no natural width (although I don't consider Diaby a winger at all, that's not a slight just an observation) the wing play could be a bit limited. If van Persie was match fit and had some games under his belt we could start him on the left, however we don't have that luxury so I reckon this is the team Le Gaffer will field will be:
Subs:
'Ze German Mentalist' Jens Lehmann
Gilberto
van Persie
J. Hoyte
Johan Djourou
How do you see The Arsenal lining up? Jump on The Forum and have your say: Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal
With Manchester USA playing in the F.A. Cup a win could see The Arsenal go four points clear at the top of the table, now that would be a perfect end to a great week after the giant killing performance against European football connoisseurs AC Milan, (oh and spurs losing to PSV Eindhoven in the WAFA Cup). Any road up, if you want to know a bit more regarding the possible team line ups and trivia, the folks at the Beeb have done all the stats and that malarkey, so have a butchers to get yourself up to speed. The Tale of the tape: t'Wigan Athletic versus The Arsenal
Once you get there have a look through the different categories to make it easier to choose just which shirt you want. Is there a shirt you like but would prefer it in a different colour? Well have word via email (shop@allgoonerdup.com) and we'll see what we can do for you, see how helpful the staff are? Go on, have a butchers - The Allgoonerdup Shop
OK, competition time again folks and your chance to win a fantastic Manu Adebayor (without the Olympic dive) inspired t-shirt. All you need to do to win this fine bit of clobber is tell us this. When did Le Gaffer splash the cash to get the big Togo forward to these shores? Easy isn't it?
Send your answers, name and postal address plus your choice of t-shirt, colour and size to:
iwannafreebie@allgoonerdup.com
Competition closes Monday 24 March.
Good luck Gooners.
Latest standings after Liverpool's midweek game and Brian Munich storm back to top spot!.
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Got something to rant about? Want to see what the discussion of the day is? Well jump on board The Allgoonerdup Forum and register if you haven't done so already and have your shout about Arsenal and general football topics.
Shut it Bentley: ex-Arsenal man David Bentley has been opening up his big old pie hole again. This time the northern monkey t' Blackburn Rovers playing midfielder has more or less said that Theo Walcott should go elsewhere if he wants first team football. Obviously footballers intelligence (or lack of) is well documented and Bentley's is no different, he probably has more football boots than brain cells, so that's about 45 then. What Bentley has to realise, if your good enough - you will play (although Manu Eboué seems to be the exception to the rule). Anyway I digress, not sure why David Bentley has decided to impart his pearls of wisdom on us all, but if Gooners were getting annoyed with his tireless digs at Arsenal, here's another reason to want to smack the taste out of his mouth... St Totteringham's day: Forum regular Mr. Top Banana is on the case and eager as ever and wants everyone to know St Totteringham's day is only just around the corner (only 1 point away now !!), Good work Gooner. I might have to create a wallpaper or a postcard of the event so you can send to all your N1 chav 'friends', would be rude not too... Eduardo scoops award: Broken leg victim Eduardo has won the Official Arsenal.com Player of the Month for February. The Crozilian hitman stormed it with Togo forward Manuel Adebayor coming second. Well done Eduardo and best wishes... That's your lot, we out of here, au reviour mon amis...
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