AW’s favourite word has got to be ‘overall’. Listen to his next interview and see if you agree. Anyway, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Schalke 04. These are the four teams who await us in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League next Friday.
We made seriously hard work of the win we need to qualify against Partizan last night at the home of football and despite the 3-1 triumph we are the only English team not to finish top of our group but no matter, we’re in the draw. And let us not forget that we have reached the knockout stages for the 11th consecutive year.
AW picked an odd side considering the importance of the game with Denilson and Song in the middle and RVP in a sort of roaming role – he was no doubt picked to give him game time. I don’t think I have ever seen an Arsenal team give the ball away so much but it is important to get the big picture and with the late substitutions ulitmately we achieved our goal.
On a personal note, I would prefer to play Munich as I haven’t been to their new ground but have visited the others following the rip-roaring Reds. I reckon that over two legs we are capable of beating anyone but that is with the likes of Fab and TV5 back in business for us. It’s going to be hard whoever we get given our turbulent form. Having said that this was our fourth win on the bounce.
AW has had his say on the game and the prospect of facing the so-called big guns: “Let’s be realistic, Barcelona are the super favourite at the moment but we take what we get and if it is Barcelona it is Barcelona.
“It was bit of a low key game and it was a bit nervous as well. Overall (there it is again) we are in a strong potion in the league, we are in the semi-final of the League Cup and we start the FA Cup in January. There are plenty of exciting challenges in front of us but there is room for improvement and I am confident we will.
“Now in the last 16 it becomes a different competition. It becomes a cup competition and that means for 180 minutes you have to be at your top level. We have qualified out of the group stage and let’s go further now.”
The Mancs await on Monday…
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