Match Day Thread FC Barcelona vs. Arsenal (UCL Round of 16) 2015/16 Official Match Thread (agg. 2-0)

We'll probably go and beat Barca 0-3 now ...

 

Ozil is an excellent player when you are in control of a game, when it's tight with no time or space he just average

 

Is that a prediction

 

Piskie - aka Mystic Smeg

 

I doubt it, a WUM more likely.

3-0 Arsenal is a 275/1 shot, otherwise known as the 3 legged horse.

 

I'll take a £1.00 punt at those odds.........

 

Paddypower

 

Don't want to say it but I can only see a one sided whopping unless we keep it tight defensively. We just don't have the strike force to hurt them.

 

Sad to see that the match thread hasn't been posted on once one day before match day. The last post was on the 2 March....

 

It's being discussed elsewhere, but probably good to keep it on this thread now.

The first goal is crucial tomorrow night. If barca score first then it's curtains for us, but if we score first then it is very much game on. There may well be those now that look back after the game having gone out and say 'I told you we had no chance, what were you expecting' but at this moment in time, we are still in the tie and so we have to go there believing that we can get that first goal and take the game to them

COYG

 

Yep I just realised. I think we will have to impose our own style of play on them, and if that means very quick counter attacks using Walcott and co then so be it. I don't see any point being conservative at this stage, this will only result from Barca picking us apart. As I said, if we're going to lose then at least go on our swords and not in our shells.

 

I think Wenger will tell them not to go Gung-ho straight away though, because we need to make sure we don't concede first. If we can survive the first 30 mins, then I think we should start pushing on and trying to go for it. Best case scenario though would be an early goal for us, imagine how pumped up the players will be if they can nick an early one.

 

Nice sentiment, but I don't believe we will score first and take the game to them.

However, I am hoping like fook that we do manage it

Bellerin and Walcott at his best could be pivotal down the right hand side. The real Sanchez turning up and a continuation of Welbz's dynamic form - all being fed by Ozil on top of his game could easily give us what we hope for.

I am as aware as anyone of the probable outcome, but I refuse to cry about it or attack others for having some semblance of hope, however much a long shot it might be.

COYG

 

Exaclty. If there was no hope then we might as well not even bother turning up for the game.

 

Old school supporting - you can't beat it

 

Problem is it could go horribly wrong being conservative in the first 30 mins. For us to have any chance of getting something here is if we do the unexpected and stun them very early and take it from there. We will no doubt concede but these kind of games require the team to do something special. I still believe they have the skill and talent to do it, but they've gone horribly wrong in the second half of the season.

A Wenger side can only operate properly with the hand-break off and against Barca, they'll need to go in with NO BREAKS AT ALL!

 

Whatever way he tries, we have to be a goal up (on the night) by half time if we are to stand the remotest of chances.

COYG

 

Or maybe Anfield 89 all over again ...

 

You got me stiffening up with your sexy talk now