[ad_1]
Morning all.
A fast Saturday round-up for you, beginning with the Champions League draw that noticed us paired with a well-known foe: Bayern Munich. We talk about it at size in the latest Arsecast, however some temporary ideas right here.
I believe it’s an thrilling tie, for every kind of causes. Even when Bayern aren’t operating away with the Bundesliga for as soon as, it’s not as in the event that they’re a horrible staff swiftly. They’ve had some struggles, little doubt about it, however you additionally need to acknowledge that Bayer Leverkeusen are having a unprecedented marketing campaign to take a seat 10 factors clear on the high of the desk, with out having misplaced a recreation but.
Nonetheless, Bayern Munich have scored 73 objectives of their 25 video games (10 greater than Leverkusen), and if you take a second to look by means of their squad, it’s full of gamers of the very best high quality. And in addition Harry Kane. His presence will likely be an enormous a part of the narrative round these ties, for apparent causes, nevertheless it’s as much as us to make sure that his first season in Germany ends in European disappointment earlier than he goes on to select up his trophy for high scorer within the Bundesliga which, as everyone knows by now, is – considerably hilariously – a cannon.
This isn’t the identical Bayern who beat us 5-1 twice in a row, nevertheless it’s additionally not the identical Arsenal. We lack expertise at this stage, and that’s one thing we shouldn’t gloss over. I believe it was evident within the Porto ties, and it’s a part of the problem we’ll face going into the 2 video games right here. That is the place we need to be although, and pound for pound I believe we’ve received the standard to offer it a extremely good go. The ‘revenge’ side is one thing that I believe we’ll expertise as followers, however perhaps not a lot the gamers. They’re distinct from these heavy defeats, however I believe we’ll all be eager to make up for the way in which these video games went.
The primary leg is at house on April ninth, and Bayern followers are banned from attending by UEFA due to an incident with fireworks being thrown onto the pitch of their recreation towards Lazio. Meaning the Emirates will likely be 100% Arsenal (past the inevitable company aspect and the occasional German interloper). The second leg in Munich takes place on April seventeenth, and our reward – ought to we make progress – is a semi-final towards the winner of Actual Madrid v Man Metropolis. Clearly I hope that’s Madrid, not as a result of I believe it’d be ‘simpler’ however I can’t clarify how a lot I hate going through English opposition in Europe – the scars of earlier encounters simply haven’t healed correctly. Additionally, I need to see a Pep fuming after a scandalous refereeing choice is sufficient to see Actual by means of and he involves the realisation that there nonetheless are some issues cash can’t purchase.
Going again to Bayern for a sec, I think that Mikel Arteta will likely be on the telephone to his pal Xabi Alonso for some recommendation. Leverkusen drew 2-2 in Munich earlier within the season, and beat them 3-0 at house a number of weeks in the past. We’re coming into the period of Basque dominance, and hopefully this connection is a helpful one for us within the build-up.
The European fixture record has additionally impacted the Premier League, as our recreation towards Aston Villa which was because of happen on Saturday April thirteenth will now be performed on Sunday 14th (Villa are in Europa League motion on the Thursday). Arsenal have already said that it is going to be rescheduled for the 4.30pm kick off, however we await official affirmation of that. I believe it’s pretty sure to be the case although, when you’re making journey plans and so on.
Lastly, it was a disappointing night time final night time for Arsenal Girls, shedding 3-1 to Chelsea, a consequence which is an enormous blow to the staff’s WSL title possibilities. Tim has all of the response and so on over on Arseblog News.
Proper, let’s depart it there for this morning. Have an excellent Saturday on an Arsenal free weekend. Extra tomorrow, till then.
[ad_2]
Source link