If you think that's moody then you're a bit of a cupcake. Didn't realise Shwan was from France though
PISKIE diverting the thread on purpose to avoid talking about his side's failings last night. Classic old school move that won't fool me
What can you say about last nights match, created chances, dominated in large patches, scored but could have scored more and then concede a silly goal. Sounds like us for many years. We still have a chance in the return leg but need to take it to them, be clinical and not make any silly mistakes. Don't want to be negative so i'm hoping for a response. Will we get one.....
Atletico are ahead on away goals, and can defend probably better than any other team on the planet. It might work in your favour that they are at home, since they might not feel justified in parking the bus at home, and may come forward. Then again, who knows, they could park the bus and see the game out. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the return leg was a 0-0. Arsenal need to try to score early and open the game up.
You never watched them at home? They're the La Liga version of Man Utd. Especially in tough games against better teams. It's not over, but you'd have to give Atletico a 70% chance of going through.
If Arsenal do somehow find a way to score though, Atletico are going to find it tough as well. They certainly weren't at their best last night and a better team than Arsenal would have put them away with the chances we created.
Don't really watch Spanish football. Only time in recent history I seen them play at home was when we beat them earlier this season in the CL group stage. I know they aren't shy with defending, very Mourinhoesque, they may be tempted to shut the game down and try for the 0-0, to go through on away goals. Which is why Arsenal really need to stick it to them, try to score early and open the game up. Bad news for Arsenal is though, Costa will be ready for the return leg, most likely, and he is the kind of striker Arsenal hate defending against.
We basically had them where we wanted them last night and one mistake cost us dear. They had no other outlet other than the ball over the top and we should have dealt with it. I think they’ll be tempted to come out a bit more at home and play. Which should suit us. I think we’ll score against them, it remains to be seen whether our defence can keep them out though.
11 v 11 will be totally different. I wouldn't use last night as a gauge. All they had planned last night from 9 minutes on was to not concede. They certainly didn't expect (or really try) to score.
In some senses it may make it easier for us if they try to attack in Madrid. If they pack everyone behind the ball (as I expect them to), we have no chance.
Aye thats the point I was making. Wenger said so as well, that the sending off didn't really give Arsenal an advantage. Just ensured that Atletico would shut up shop. Atletico can be got at, at home, with 11 men, I dont think we will see the same kind of ultra defensive performance from them. If Kos hadn't ****ed up, and you were taking a 1-0 lead to Madrid, it would have made things a lot more interesting, but with them ahead on away goals, I just dont know how Simeone is gonna play it, will be interesting.
Atletico will always have at least 8 men behind the ball (last night). Thats what they do. With having 11 men, it means they'll have an outball all the time. Playing against 11 or 10, simeone is always pragmatic and defence first
