Arsenal vs. Chelsea

[XIII]

http://www.applesplash.com/home/images/jmaw.jpg

The big game today. :D

I thought it would be ok to start a new thread just for this game, as its kinda important, and individual, instead of using the Premiership thread...

Kick off 4pm, Arsenal vs. Chelsea. If Arsenal lose, they are definately out of the title race completely, if Arsenal win, everyone is back in the race.. Liverpool/Man Yoo both only 6 points off.. and Chelsea's inevitable winning doesn't seem to inevitable anymore.

And I'm there! Leaving in a few hours, me + family have seats in row 3. :p Very exciting.

Anyone else looking forward to this game?

[Blue Velvet]

1-1 Draw. Go Chelsea.

[XIII]

1-1 Draw. Go Chelsea.

A draw is probably the most likely thing.. which puts all the dramatic talk of being out of the race, or being back in the race, to complete waste really. :p

[Blue Velvet]

Mind you, if Henri isn't on fire I wonder where Arsenal's goals are going to come from... even if I was a neutral, I think a Chelsea victory is slightly more likely than an Arsenal victory on current form alone.

[XIII]

Mind you, if Henri isn't on fire I wonder where Arsenal's goals are going to come from... even if I was a neutral, I think a Chelsea victory is slightly more likely than an Arsenal victory on current form alone.


Robin Van Persie can strike some.. we tend to score team goals, which anyone can finish. On current form, yes, Chelsea are looking far better, but its never really about current form in these kind of games. Both teams are so up for it it could go either way.

[Jaffa Cake]

We'll be watching, although I suspect it's going to be a bit of a scrappy game. Chelsea to just sneak it 1-0.

[XIII]

Leaving in 30 mins for the game! :D

[Jaffa Cake]

Leaving in 30 mins for the game! :DJust enough time to make a big MacRumors banner then... :D

[XIII]

Just enough time to make a big MacRumors banner then... :D
Hahahahaha... :D :p

How cool would I look...!
:cool: ;)

Heheh...

EDIT: And I'm off. I'll let you know what I think when I get back.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

[Piarco]

I'd be happy with Chelsea loosing or a draw - being a Red Scouser an' all. Seeing as the result in the "World Club Championship" didn't go our way (despite dominating the WHOLE game) the sights are firmly set on making up the ground on Chelsea. And lets be honest, its not our winning games that will make up ground, its Chelsea slipping up....

[devman]

I don't care about either team, but it would make the league more interesting if Chelsea lost. That said, it should be one heck of a grudge match. :p

[AlBDamned]

I'm off to watch it in a moment in Shepherds Bush.

No question the on-form team is Chelsea, but we're not easy to beat at home.

I'd say it's likely a draw but it will only need one quick goal to stoke things up. We've got nothing to lose this season now, but if Chelsea lose it will open things up (as XIII says in his OP).

However, I'm watching it with a very good mate of mine who's Chelsea through and through and he'll sit there all smug and unbearable with his pint if they win so for that reason amongst many others -

COME ON THE GUNNERS!!!!

[Jaffa Cake]

So... Chelsea run out 2-0 winners then, putting them nine points clear of second placed Manchester United – and Arsenal sink down to eighth. At this rate, the Gunners might have trouble qualifying for the UEFA Cup, let alone the Champions League next season... ;)

[~Shard~]

Chelsea does indeed seem to be unstoppable. Who will finally hand them a loss?

[Jaffa Cake]

Chelsea does indeed seem to be unstoppable. Who will finally hand them a loss?Hopefully Hull will draw them in the FA Cup Fourth Round – we'll show the Premier League boys how it's done! :p ;)

[XIII]

That was a disgrace.

Referee, I know we say it a lot, but he was appalling. There were tackles flying in all over the show, Essien up to his dirty tricks again, he should've been sent off.

It amazing really that the FA havn't brought in electronic replays. Van Persie SCORED. I was actually inline with him, he was clearly onside. No idea what the **** the linesman was thinking. Ridiculous. If we had gone in front, it would've been a completely different game.

Chelsea's two goals were well taken, but both were against the flow of the game at the time. No idea what happened for the first.. mess up. Second one, Lauren defended very very poorly.

I'm disappointly, and annoyed.

Still, it was fun to listen to 30,000 people singing "**** off Mourinho.. **** off Mourinho.." :D

[CelticBhoy]

both of them should get knocked out of the Champions League in the next round

Champions League, we're having a laugh!

[Jaffa Cake]

Van Persie SCORED. I was actually inline with him, he was clearly onside. No idea what the **** the linesman was thinking. Ridiculous.Arsene is equally annoyed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4539160.stm)– and I agree with the pair of you, that goal should have stood.

Second one, Lauren defended very very poorly.Probably preoccupied looking for the tooth Essien had knocked out of his mouth earlier...

[Blue Velvet]

*smug*

Especially after half a bottle of red and a lager tonight in Islington/Stokey. :D

[Applespider]

after half a bottle of red

But you're a Blues fan! Was the bar out of Curacao (only drink I can think of that's blue!):p

The office will be quiet tomorrow; for an office in Chelsea, we've got a lot of Arsenal fans. It's always particularly amusing when we have an away day since one of the few places big enough/cheap enough to hold us all is Stamford Bridge's conference centre. You can almost see them wondering whether to boycott it... or how to deface the turf!

[Blue Velvet]

But you're a Blues fan!

Doesn't stop me drinking wine though. Had a lovely evening out and wandered down the Balls Pond Road listening to the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the locals. :D

Say what you like about Mourinho. Chelsea haven't won at Highbury for a long long time.

[XIII]

Arsene is equally annoyed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4539160.stm)– and I agree with the pair of you, that goal should have stood.

Probably preoccupied looking for the tooth Essien had knocked out of his mouth earlier...

Its stunning.. I can't get over it - that was a goal! Plain and simple! It would've changed the game, the title race, EVERYTHING. Unbelieveable how much rested on that idiotic call. ****ing unbelievable.

I have to try hard not to get REALLY angry.

[BakedBeans]

Say what you like about Mourinho.

i often do....

"99% of liverpool supports think they are in teh final" - jose mourinho - 2005

no jose...100% of scousers know we are the champions of europe

[Blue Velvet]

Sorry, but did I hear an escapee from the Liverpool thread straying off-topic?

OK, since we're in the mood to rub things in then...

Nice trophy that Stevie is bringing back tonight... The FIFA Fair Play award. :D :p

[XIII]

How long 'till Abramovich sells up now...? :)

[Piarco]

Sorry, but did I hear an escapee from the Liverpool thread straying off-topic?

OK, since we're in the mood to rub things in then...

Nice trophy that Stevie is bringing back tonight... The FIFA Fair Play award. :D :p

Nah, we've got enough silverware to be getting on with:


First Team - League Championships - 18

1900/01
1905/06
1921/22
1922/23
1946/47
1963/64
1965/66
1972/73
1975/76
1976/77
1978/79
1979/80
1981/82
1982/83
1983/84
1985/86
1987/88
1989/90

First Team - FA Cup - 6

1964/65
1973/74
1985/86
1988/89
1991/92
2000/01

First Team - League Cup / Milk Cup / Coca Cola Cup / Worthington Cup - 6

1980/81
1981/82
1982/83
1983/84
1994/95
2000/01

First Team - European Cup - 5

1976/77
1977/78
1980/81
1983/84
2004/05

First Team - UEFA Cup - 3

1972/73
1975/76
2000/01

First Team - European Super Cup - 2

1977/78
2001/02

First Team - Charity Shield - 14 (5 shared)

1964/65 (shared)
1965/66 (shared)
1966/67
1974/75
1976/77
1977/78 (shared)
1979/80
1980/81
1982/83
1986/87 (shared)
1988/89
1989/90
1990/91 (shared)
2001/02

There's more but I got bored cut'n'pasting :D
Won't mention Chelski's European honours....... simply because there aren't any :p

[devman]

Say what you like about Mourinho. Chelsea haven't won at Highbury for a long long time.

Fair enough. That's a good away win. Mourinho was childish to race off without shaking hands with Wenger though.

The Arsenal disallowed goal should have stood. Eissen should have been red-carded. All the objective reports agree with this. It could have been a very different game.

However, as it it was after the above decisions, Chelsea deserved the win.

note: I'm not an arsenal or chelsea fan.

[Blue Velvet]

Mourinho was childish to race off without shaking hands with Wenger though.


Didn't see that...

(the common response by football managers to any indiscretions on the pitch)

Well, he may be a bastard, but he's our bastard. Besides, he's gorgeous. :D

[WinterMute]

Didn't see that...

(the common response by football managers to any indiscretions on the pitch)

Well, he may be a bastard, but he's our bastard. Besides, he's gorgeous. :D

Yeah, but my god doesn't he know it....;) :D

Watched the game.

Arsenal were robbed.

Essien needs to be VERY careful or some big boy is going to give him a wedgie...

Chelski prove, beyond doubt, that you can buy the Premiership.

They'll still not be 5 times European Champions though.;)

<scuttles back to the Liverpool FC thread, giggling>

[Qoxiivi]

Chelsea does indeed seem to be unstoppable. Who will finally hand them a loss?

Man U already beat them earlier in the season and Charlton did in the Carling Cup - albeit on penaties.

[thequicksilver]

Man U already beat them earlier in the season and Charlton did in the Carling Cup - albeit on penaties.

And the mighty Real Betis…

They're not unbeatable, just very very good. Barcelona will prove an almighty test, however.

[~Shard~]

And the mighty Real Betis…

They're not unbeatable, just very very good. Barcelona will prove an almighty test, however.

Indeed! It will be fun to watch how things play out in the upcoming weeks.... :cool:

[XIII]

Fair enough. That's a good away win. Mourinho was childish to race off without shaking hands with Wenger though.

The Arsenal disallowed goal should have stood. Eissen should have been red-carded. All the objective reports agree with this. It could have been a very different game.

However, as it it was after the above decisions, Chelsea deserved the win.

note: I'm not an arsenal or chelsea fan.

Thankyou! I'm not just making excuses then.

Yeah, but my god doesn't he know it....;) :D

Watched the game.

Arsenal were robbed.

Essien needs to be VERY careful or some big boy is going to give him a wedgie...

Chelski prove, beyond doubt, that you can buy the Premiership.

They'll still not be 5 times European Champions though.;)

<scuttles back to the Liverpool FC thread, giggling>

And the same to you! :D Well. This is a massive turning point for the premiership this season. If Arsenal had rightly won, then Liverpool and Man Yoo could've been just 6 points away. Meh. Screw that.

Chelsea aren't mighty. They are not invincible.. We cut them open a few times in that game, and were robbed.... not the mark of an invincible team. Barcelona will kick the crap out of them, and I'll be the first one to celebrate.

"**** off Mourinho..." (Lol..?)

[Jaffa Cake]

~snip~So I take it you've not calmed down yet? ;)

[MacsRgr8]

OK.. so I'm a blind idiot...

I didn't spot this dedicated thread, but thanks to XIII I can say something here too!
Here's my post over at the "Premiere League" thread:

Anybody see the Arsenal v Celsea game? (well.. yes obviously)

Saw it live on Sky Sports, but couldn't look after the second Chealski goal by Cole.

Such a shame van Persie's goal was disallowed, as it is so important to be in front against the Russian blues.
Henry hit the post, and later Robben did too.... except Robben hit it on the inside resulting in a 1-0 lead for the away side.

I knew Arsenal wouldn't get the luck to win this. Chelsea could play their favourite game: soaking up pressure, and waiting for the mistake.

I really dislike Chelsea's approach to the game. Being able to spend most of Russia's oil reserves you would think they would play like a Barcelona, and really entertain their fans.
Hmm.. that's ironic... Chelsea's fans will be entertained.... by Barcelona.

[XIII]

So I take it you've not calmed down yet? ;)

No :( :(

Just watched some highlights.. :p

Its only a game... Its only a game...

I HATE THAT LINESMAN. :mad:

[MacsRgr8]

Yeah, but my god doesn't he know it....;) :D

Watched the game.

Arsenal were robbed.

Essien needs to be VERY careful or some big boy is going to give him a wedgie...

Chelski prove, beyond doubt, that you can buy the Premiership.

They'll still not be 5 times European Champions though.;)

<scuttles back to the Liverpool FC thread, giggling>

My feelings excatly.
Chelsea ruins the fun-lovin' British football game IMHO. Letting a Russian oil chief buy himself into a London club and play around with his toy until some day his most expensive "bit of fun" will win the Premiere League, is unbelievably lame.
One day the 100-squad Chelski will win the CL, and what will his oilness, Tsaar the Chelski do then?

Probably buy Man Utd...

Best bet for both of them.

:rolleyes:

[AlBDamned]

OK.. so I'm a blind idiot...

I didn't spot this dedicated thread, but thanks to XIII I can say something here too!
Here's my post over at the "Premiere League" thread:

I agree with all of the above. Chelsea suck a*se in a big way and we were robbed (on our own ground no less!!!) by having a perfectly good goal disallowed. Chelsea are the most uninspiring team ever to win so much. Yak. I might not bother with the premiership for the rest of the season (my team certainly aren't..:rolleyes: ).

I have to say though, I still can't fathom us selling our captain and most influential player and buying.... nobody. When you see Flamini and Fabregas lining up against Lampard and Makalele, what chance have we honestly got of beating them. Viera and Flamini/Fabregas? Different ball game altogether. We need to bite the bullet and go after (and sign) some big players, or Henry will disappear too and our bright shiny new stadium will look a little red round the gills with all the empty seats.


Anyway, come on Barcelona!!

[XIII]

I agree to a certain extent about Flamini and Fabregas. But, to be honest, I watched the game yesterday - they were all over the Chelsea midfield at times. They are NOT bad players.. they are just not big names. Having said that, we need a world class midfielder to replace Viera.

I am also in no doubt, very sadly, Henry will go this summer.

Whats to keep him at an 8th place club, earning less than he would elsewhere, playing with unexperienced new players? He would much rather play with Ronaldinho, I'm sure.

I've just seen the video of Mourinho running off before the hankshake.. what a ****. He knows he was lucky, and he knows Essien is a dirty bastard.

[AlBDamned]

I agree to a certain extent about Flamini and Fabregas. But, to be honest, I watched the game yesterday - they were all over the Chelsea midfield at times. They are NOT bad players.. they are just not big names. Having said that, we need a world class midfielder to replace Viera.



Definitely not (bad players), but they haven't got the experience nor the bulk (yet in both instances) to deal with midfield players like Chelsea have. I think Fabregas and Flamini are both exceptional young players with awesome potential, but we do need some experience in midfield.

And Mourinho is a dick. This is a multi-billion pound industry, not a kids playground. Mourinho is unquestionably a great coach, but the guys simply has no idea when it comes to politics and acceptable behaviour.

[Blue Velvet]

...but the guys simply has no idea when it comes to politics and acceptable behaviour.

Oh really?

I'll think you'll find the real reasons for Mourinho's behaviour well-covered in tomorrow's papers and if this is how Wenger behaved, I don't blame him one bit.

Wenger is the one who needs to grow up.


It is understood that the Chelsea manager sent signed Christmas cards to all 19 of his rival Barclays Premiership managers last week, but the one he dispatched to London N5 contained a personal message. In the card, Mourinho apologised to Wenger for his part in the “voyeur” row this season and emphasised that his words were not meant as a personal attack. He added that it was never his intention to offend his adversary and offered apologies if he had taken his words personally...

While both teams were warming up, a member of Arsenal’s backroom staff approached his Chelsea counterpart to ask if the card had been sent by Mourinho or a member of his communications department, casting doubts over his sincerity.

Just before kick-off, Mourinho waited outside his dugout in anticipation of a welcome from Wenger, in the manner with which he greets visiting managers at Stamford Bridge, but was disappointed to see his adversary walk straight past.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,278-1943871,00.html

[devman]

Oh really?

Well this could quickly deterioriate into "who is the bigger idiot - Mourinho or Wenger" but anyway...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4392444.stm

Note: this article was written in October so it doesnt include all the latest "stuff"

[XIII]

Oh really?

I'll think you'll find the real reasons for Mourinho's behaviour well-covered in tomorrow's papers and if this is how Wenger behaved, I don't blame him one bit.

Wenger is the one who needs to grow up.




http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,278-1943871,00.html

Ya, ya, read that in the papers. So Mourinho apologises for his ridiculous insults earlier in the year in a Christmas card...? Great.. A.W. always walks out late from the tunnel, the game had usually started by the time he comes out. Not a great time for a Managers chat.. Also, I don't quite understand where he walked past Jose. At Highbury, the tunnel comes out inbetween the two dugouts.. Jose goes left, Arsene goes right.. Where do they shake hands? Hmm. It doesn't really get around the fact Jose got down the tunnel very quick after the game.. Arsene was making no attempt to avoid him then. I stick blindly with my original points, like a true fan :p