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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2025:04:27:12:55:07 by Flava.

We will go through.
But probably lose 3 - 1

"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."

I'll take that BG but my heart might not

I hope we make it eye bleedingly bad and stink the place out

Rice said in his interview after the euphoric home win last week that we can't just sit back at the Bernabeu and need to play the same and go on the attack there as well.

Hopefully that was just the adrenalin talking after his unbelievable individual performance because if we do that, we will get cut to shreds and likely sent packing, despite our 3-0 cushion.

I think sitting back and looking for a counter opportunity is exactly what we need to do. Almost shut up shop and happily stink the place out like Flava said if need be. We proved in that second half against City earlier in the season when they weren't s.hit just how good our defence was. Even with 10 men our defence was almost perfect and virtually impregnably before they scored that lucky late injury time equaliser.

They simply have to come at us because they need to score a minimum of 3 goals. We are playing the great Real Madrid, so that is of course possible but if everyone is tuned in and we maintain our discipline, I am confident we can keep them out. In turn their emphasis to attack is going to leave space in behind to counter attack for the likes of Martinelli, so we should have a couple of chances to put the tie to bed as well.

What WOULD make my heart sink and a.rse squeeze up tighter than a Knat's chuff mind is conceding an early goal. We need huge games tonight from Saliba, Kiwior and Timber. The other watch out is if he starts MLS and his inexperience and lack of discipline costs us a pen or even worse, a red card. Those are my biggest fears tonight.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

- Albert Einstein

They'll be flopping to the floor and screaming at every opportunity. The refereeing in the CL has been good, let's hope that continues tonight.

We just need to play sensibly. Their midfield will be stronger than last week. Vasquez has a 95, if he plays I'd fancy Martinelli to smoke him

Good shout about MLS.

He needs to watch himself tonight and every other game for that matter.

He's great and everyone knows he is but it's getting to nearly every game he's being warned about his discipline.
He has to learn quickly or it will be his downfall.

"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."

Arsenal fans in Madrid.
[fb.watch]

"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."

A key component of the return leg is the referee. Francois Letexier has been given the honour to referee tonight's game. Monsieur Letexier is a French Ligue 1 referee and is also considered as an elite UEFA referee. This will be the first time that Letexier has taken charge of a fixture involving the Gunners, but that is not the case for the Spanish giants. Letexier has previously refereed four Madrid matches, the most recent being their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the league phase of the Champions League back in November. The 35-year-old was also the referee for the 3-3 draw between Madrid and Manchester City last season in the quarter-final, as well as wins over Napoli and Chelsea over the last two years. Away from the Champions League, Letexier was also given the honour of refereeing the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain last summer.

Hopefully Monsieur Letexier will not be swayed by the allures of the Bernabeu and will referee the game by the book and impartially. As with any continental referees, they run the game firmly and will not hesitate to show the card when needed. So players like MLS will need to be careful.

Quote:

BootyDaddy
We proved in that second half against City earlier in the season when they weren't s.hit just how good our defence was. Even with 10 men our defence was almost perfect and virtually impregnably before they scored that lucky late injury time equaliser.
They simply have to come at us because they need to score a minimum of 3 goals.

Ok, but we had Gabriel against City, and he was a rock at the Etihad.

Plus, sitting back like that could easily back fire. If they score, we'd find it hard to change our mentality.

I agree that we should aim to counter attack. But the question is, should we press high or fall back and sit deep?

I say press high. But I've also seen Madrid recently get opened up on counter attacks when pushing for a goal.

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A neighbour has just told me that Real Madrid are closing their roof to keep in as much noise, trying to scare the socks off us. I hope it's true and we score first and hush the whole stadium!

Just play our game.

And stop listening to all the bull that Real are going to do this and that.

They are the team in shite street not us.

"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."

Spot on BG. Take what the game gives you

I wont be watching. I dont live my life through the football results any more, but I cant watch games like this, its too intense. I wil sit in a different room to the TV and listen to hear for stuff happening.

I'll message you. You could have a heart attack at your age

Im not sure your son is a kn0b mate. Ive met him a few times and he seemed a lovely little chap. Last time I saw him at Newport away he seemed a bit scared of James, who isn't exactly a threatening figure himself. But overall, I think he's right about 'aura'. If the Arsenal were 3-0 up against almost any other team in European football it would be considered a walk in the park. But look at Madrids forward line. The Arsenal will have to be on their game from start to finish, and thats without their best defender.

I genuinely cant watch games like this. They aren't fun, and football is supposed to be 'fun'. I struggled watching England in the two Euro finals, and I remember being absolutely TRAUMATISED by that QF at Anfield where Adebayor scored then Arsenal hit the self destruct button and let in two goals in a couple of minutes. I remember beating the floor of my living room in Essex, which was pretty much poured concrete with a thin carpet over it. I severely hurt both my hands.

Anyway yeah Im not watching, let me know what the score is. Im sure you will.

^ If we score in the first 10 minutes, you'll start watching.