the 370Z.com OFFICIAL football (soccer) thread

[Red370]

It would have been a good match to watch in person, Dortmund is only a 2 hour drive from where I am, however, the nosebleed seat ticket prices were set at 300 euros, about $480, ZERO chance i'll pay that for a group stage match.

A few things I took from the match:

1. Thank god we didnt pay for Benayoun, he added NOTHING.

2. Arteta fills the midfield decently but we were lacking creativity all match, we need Jacky back in the worst way.

3. Sheeelny was lights out. No other way to put it, he SMOTHERED his marks the entire match, not one got past him, I can see exactly how he made Blancs squad, he's developed into one hell of a defender at Arsenal.

4. Dortmunds goal was simply world class, nothing anyone could have done about it, my god, volley and upper 90? Ches couldnt have done a thing, even if he had gotten a jump on it.

5. Pat Rice being the figurehead for the match is no excuse for those substitutions. AW is the man in charge and definitely would have hashed out a gameplan prior to the match. Taking off Walcott (albeit, he had a SHITTY game) for a defensive minded midfielder is the wrong damn answer. It should have been a one for one swap with Song, who btw, had one hell of a match, but he was gassed and could have used a breather (my co-MOTM awardee). And THEN the genius decision was made to take off RvP, who looked destined to get on the scoresheet again and throw Shmack (a holding presence) into the game? Really? And last but not least, putting a left back into the game for a winger? Granted, Jervy was playing like crap and dispossessing all over the place, he still had some pace left in his legs.

6. My thoughts on how we could have walked away with the 3 points: Arshavin on for Benayoun at the 65-70 minute mark. Frimpong on to replace the tired Song. PCY in for Walcott at 75. Arshavin moves up to attacking mid, Arteta just behind him. PCY and Jervy move up even with RvP. Balls down the wings (Dortmund backs were looking sluggish by 80 minutes). Instead of dropping into a shell, we should have gone on to attack while still leaving cover in Frimpong and Arteta. Thats the old Arsenal I know, and I truly hope that this isnt a sign of things to come because if we play a Chelsea or a Barca like this, we'll be torn to shreds.

MOTM is Koscielny with Song close behind, they were integral in keeping the teams level.

oh, and where was Gotze? aside from a few cheeky passes, I seen nothing of the 35 million euro value.

[Jon@AAMComp]

Originally Posted by Red370

oh, and where was Gotze? aside from a few cheeky passes, I seen nothing of the 35 million euro value.

Keep watching.

Originally Posted by Red370

It would have been a good match to watch in person, Dortmund is only a 2 hour drive from where I am, however, the nosebleed seat ticket prices were set at 300 euros, about $480, ZERO chance i'll pay that for a group stage match.

I wish I was over there. My cousin doesn't live far from K-Town! What about standing at the Südtribüne? Do you have to be a season holder for this section?



On the subject of subliminal finishes, you don't get much better quality than this:



Clinical finish boys and girls.





More mouth watering fixtures today:

Man. City v. Napoli
AFC Ajax v. Olympique Lyon
Benfica v. United
Villareal v. Bayern
Lille v. CSKA Moskva


I'm not a big City fan, but wit their 'dream team', I'm interested to see how they before in European competition. Ajax and Lyon will always put on a good show. I hope Benfica sink United. United will get out of the group stage, but I'm hoping they don't win the group; that way they may have to lose to Barca again. Blue, Bayern face a decent Villareal side, but I think they can get a good result. Lille host CSKA, both teams young and talented.

Originally Posted by Jon@AAMComp

Keep watching.



Blue, Bayern face a decent Villareal side, but I think they can get a good result. Lille host CSKA, both teams young and talented.

+1 to keep watching Gotze


Yeah Villareal is decent but I still dont see them beating Bayern with the form they're in