The Premier League Thread!

[Lord Blackadder]

Watching it here and it was definitely on its way in. If Carragher or another Liverpool defender had blocked the ball in such a fashion he'd have been congratulated for his quick thinking and fleet-footedness.

Bad news for Arsenal then, a draw definitely doesn't help them. The gunners seemed to lay siege to our goal for the last half hour.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce in their Champions League match. Expect the tabloids to refer to Grant and his players as turkeys, headless chicken or some similar poultry-based fun tomorrow.

...Not to mention that Chelsea's goal was an own goal, so Fenerbahce did all the scoring.

Kudos to the Turkish side on their continued CL form but I'd rather Liverpool face them than Chelsea, so let's hope they get it done against the Blues.

BTW, I think Liverpool's black away jersey's look like ****. Still, not as bad as Chelsea's day-glo away kit (which they were mercifully not wearing).

 

[xUKHCx]

The whole pub started laughing after the Bendtner clearance as it was a majority Arsenal pub tonight.

I spent the whole match shaking my head as we simply couldn't hold onto the ball and kept inviting them to attack us and I could see a goal coming but luckiy enough it didn't.

As for the pen, lets just say I've seen them given

When Walcott came on at half time I was worried as I see him as the biggest threat to the Liverpool defence with his pace but lucky enough we managed to quell him, just.

A good result for Liverpool and I imagine Arsenal will feel that they lost the game after putting so much effort in but not scoring a winner.

BTW, I think Liverpool's black away jersey's look like ****. Still, not as bad as Chelsea's day-glo away kit (which they were mercifully not wearing).

i quite like the black kit, except perhaps the red swish thing, if that was toned down it would look great.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

i quite like the black kit, except perhaps the red swish thing, if that was toned down it would look great.

The red stripe is what ruins it, if that was gone it would look OK.

I really expected a third goal in the game, something decisive - and probably from Arsenal, since they seemed to be dominating the possession. Liverpool has an away goal, but I don't expect either team to be held to a clean sheet in the second leg.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

The red stripe is what ruins it, if that was gone it would look OK.

It's a template kit, what do you expect? Adidas and Umbro are the worst offenders in my book..

 

[pachyderm]

Being a big ASRoma fan, all i can say is Mmmmmmm.............

yeah i'm not pleased with that result.

 

[xUKHCx]

It's a template kit, what do you expect? Adidas and Umbro are the worst offenders in my book..

Yeah I know, the amount of money in the game you'd think they could afford some designers to come up with at least slightly different kits for the teams. It is a real shame.

 

[xUKHCx]

Just saw the Fenerbahce - Chelsea highlights and what a goal that last one was

Here is a question for you why do you support your team?

Watford - Town of birth

Liverpool - My father is a Liverpool supporter and as a little nipper it is only natural to follow your father and as such the blood that flows through my arteries is most definitely red.

Lazio - I live with an Italian who is a Lazio supporter so I have had lots of conversation about them and have taken them as my team for Italy.

I'm currently looking for teams in Spain (currently thinking Valencia), Sweden and Norway to support. So if you have a good case for your team or indeed any other team for another country you might just get an extra supporter.

 

[pknz]

Eh, I don't mind the alternate kit. I'd like to see the home kit differ in design from the standard Adidas shirt.

I think Kuyt the defender may have just been uncovered. He really did a superb job, hats off to him.

It'll be interesting to see the team sheet for the forthcoming league match.

Anyone been keeping up with the goings on with Hicks, Gillett, Parry and Moores? I've recently started reading the RAWK forums.

 

[BoyBach]

It must be depressing to be a Liverpool fan and to have to watch and support the dour sort of football that they deployed last night. The 'romantic' in me wants Arsenal to progress as a victory for football, but Liverpool will probably grind out a result at Anfield and the Benitez / European 'tactical genius' template will persist for another year.

Anyway, the quote below from the Guardian football section raised a smile.

The peno is a moot point but my guess is that Bendtner would have saved it anyway.

 

[xUKHCx]

It must be depressing to be a Liverpool fan and to have to watch and support the dour sort of football that they deployed last night. The 'romantic' in me wants Arsenal to progress as a victory for football, but Liverpool will probably grind out a result at Anfield and the Benitez / European 'tactical genius' template will persist for another year.

Anyway, the quote below from the Guardian football section raised a smile.

It was a European night away to Arsenal what did you expect we had to try and keep the backdoor shut and perhaps eek out a goal. Granted it was no Barcelona away but we got an important away goal and also learnt how to frustrate them. Its now back to Anfield were in theory we don't need to score to go through.

You can't deny that winning the Uefa Cup one season, then Champions league final the next and then to get back to the Champions league final 2 years later

In regards to the Parry, Gillette, Hicks thing last I heard Parry called for immediate action about a week ago.

 

[BoyBach]

It was a European night away to Arsenal what did you expect we had to try and keep the backdoor shut and perhaps eek out a goal. Granted it was no Barcelona away but we got an important away goal and also learnt how to frustrate them. Its now back to Anfield were in theory we don't need to score to go through.

I agree. It was a 'classic' European away leg performance - score a goal and avoid defeat. (I just want some flair to prevail and not pragmatism - call me a romantic dreamer! )

 

[xUKHCx]

I agree. It was a 'classic' European away leg performance - score a goal and avoid defeat. (I just want some flair to prevail and not pragmatism - call me a romantic dreamer! )

you can't have it every year .

And you could argue that even though arsenal had all the possession they didn't capitalise so don't deserve to go through.

The leg is nicely poised with Liverpool slightly ahead but it can very easily go either way.

 

[nikopolidis]

Fenerbahce - Chelsea 2-1
Arsenal - Liverpool 1-1

Well, Chelsea has disappointed me. Fenerbahce did surprise me..
Russian commentator said last night that main problem of Chelsea is a Chelsea itself not a rival team.. Absolutely agree with that statement..
But I'm sure Arisrtocrats will beat Fener on Stamford Bridge..

Liverpool then has all the chances to pass Arsenal. I didn't like Arsenal's attacks especially Bendtner's performance (he is simply a vegetable).. Hleb is nice as always..

By the way, English mates, Emirates stadium is a new Arsenal's arena, right? Is it a reconstructed Wembley or it is a brand new stadium? Was Wembley Arsenal's home arena?

Russian Zenit is in Liverkusen today. Don't know what to wait for... Should only hope...

 

[xUKHCx]

By the way, English mates, Emirates stadium is a new Arsenal's arena, right? Is it a reconstructed Wembley or it is a brand new stadium? Was Wembley Arsenal's home arena?

The Emirates is Arsenal's new stadium however it is a replacement of Highbury.

Wembley is the national stadium and it not owned by any team. It is owned by the English Football Association (The FA).

I think Zenit will have a tough time tonight.

 

[R.Youden]

By the way, English mates, Emirates stadium is a new Arsenal's arena, right? Is it a reconstructed Wembley or it is a brand new stadium? Was Wembley Arsenal's home arena?

The Emirates stadium is about 18 months old. It was built near to Arsenals old ground, Highbury.

In the 1990's Arsenal used Wembley for some European games but it was not popular.

They are two very different stadiums:

Emirates Stadium:

New Wembley:

Old Wembley:

 

[xUKHCx]

Old Wembley:

As much as I miss the old twin towers of Wembley seeing them together like that there is no comparision.

Still haven't been to the (new) Wembley yet. £££££

 

[nikopolidis]

The Emirates stadium is about 18 months old. It was built near to Arsenals old ground, Highbury.
In the 1990's Arsenal used Wembley for some European games but it was not popular.

Oh, thanks a lot for so bright answer from you! Now I got it!
Yeah, not Wembley but that small Highbury (it seems so from TV because as I know cameras were situated too close to the pitch)..
The only question is about Highbury.. Is it used somehow nowadays?

 

[xUKHCx]

The only question is about Highbury.. Is it used somehow nowadays?

Well yes but not for football

Arsenal Stadium is currently (as of 2008) being redeveloped and converted into apartments, in a project known as "Highbury Square", a scheme that will see 711 properties built on the site. The North Bank and Clock End stands have already been demolished, with the famous clock having been moved to the new stadium; the exteriors of the listed Art Deco East Stand and the matching West Stand are being preserved and incorporated into the new developments, while the rest of the stands' structures have been removed. The pitch will become a communal garden. In October 2005 the proposed apartments went on sale; as of May 2006 all properties in the North, East and West Stands had been taken. The apartments are expected to be ready by 2010.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It must be depressing to be a Liverpool fan and to have to watch and support the dour sort of football that they deployed last night. The 'romantic' in me wants Arsenal to progress as a victory for football, but Liverpool will probably grind out a result at Anfield and the Benitez / European 'tactical genius' template will persist for another year.

Well for one thing, I'm not above ranking results over flowing football. If we grind out a few 1-0 wins and take the CL I will be happy. If we deploy attacking formations and get taken apart it does nothing for us...

I think knockout competitions like the CL favor Benitez's approach to the game, unlike the league where you can fall too far behind in the points if you play too conservatively.

The most important thing is to win...style is subservient to success.

 

[R.Youden]

This is what Highbury will look like:

Compared to what it did look like:

 

[BoyBach]

The most important thing is to win...style is subservient to success.

Depressing isn't it?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Depressing isn't it?

Nah. Depressing would be a season like Derby's...Heck, if you value free-flowing football above all else why would you follow English clubs?

 

[Markleshark]

This is what Highbury will look like:


Compared to what it did look like:

Even full of smuggy filthy rich London folk it'll have less tossers than it used too.
I keed XIII

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Here is a question for you why do you support your team?

I was born in East Yorkshire and grew up in Hull from an early age, therefore I support the Riding's only professional football club.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Here is a question for you why do you support your team?

Being an American, there's obviously no in-born local loyalty to a football club. My allegiance to Arsenal is simple: I lived in France in 2005-2006, and of course I needed a sport to follow. Since I was enamored with Thierry Henry, I became an Arsenal supporter.
BTW, if you're looking for a Ligue 1 club, I can recommend OGC Nice. (That is, if lots of draws are your bag, baby.)