The Official Arsenal - 14 x Cup Winners Thread (Vol 5)

[Cupramax]

For those that didn’t or couldn’t watch , the ref was Trossards twin it was meant to be…

[Cheib]

fk me that was a nervous one….class penalties and great work from Raya, Porto manager throwing a strop at Arteta after the game….how about fk off.

[leglessAlex]

I didn’t know Raya had that in his locker, that’s seriously impressive.

Great win, progress against stubborn and frustrating opponents. Onwards and upwards!

[Glassman]

Arteta and Conceicao after the game last night.

[TikTak]

Didn't see it, but glad for the win obviously. Heard it was maybe harder than it should have been and there was a contentious goal ruled out?

The momentum to still be in 2 competitions when we face City keeps us on a high so that's great. Even though a UCL win is unlikely it means not everything is riding on facing City.

[Cheib]

TikTak said:

Didn't see it, but glad for the win obviously. Heard it was maybe harder than it should have been and there was a contentious goal ruled out?

The momentum to still be in 2 competitions when we face City keeps us on a high so that's great. Even though a UCL win is unlikely it means not everything is riding on facing City.

Don’t think it was contentious, Havertz gave Pepe’s st a god tug which threw him off balance.

That said the Ref let an awful lot go….commentators were rattling on about how it let the game flow (which it did) but I can’t help feel it was to the advantage of the team doing the defending. Ref was consistent though.

It was hard work, I think Porto played very well and definitely set out to frustrate Arsenal…you have to give them credit though they weren’t without threat. What it shows is that at this level conceding a sloppy goal was nearly very costly. Whoever we get in the next round that will be the case even more so !

[Cupramax]

Think the ref did a great job not taking any of their st, considering the amount of histrionics that we’re going on with Porto once we scored. They are a good team, just a pity they couldn’t do that without all the diving and rolling around b/s.

[leglessAlex]

Cheib said:

Ref was consistent though.

I guess the contention comes from this, the ref was consistent, right up until he wasn’t. If you’re not going to penalise things, then a goal shouldn’t change that.

Ah well. It is what it is, we won in the end.

However we achieved it, a first quarter final since 2010 is massive!

[Radec]

[MOBB]

https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news...

[Carl_VivaEspana]

leglessAlex said:

I didn’t know Raya had that in his locker, that’s seriously impressive.

Great win, progress against stubborn and frustrating opponents. Onwards and upwards!

Fotmob MOTM: David Raya.

[TikTak]

Benny Blanco signs on the dotted line.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/ben-white-signs-new-l...

Good news that one. The fact Southgate is still overlooking him is outrageous.

[Wonderman]

TikTak said:

Benny Blanco signs on the dotted line.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/ben-white-signs-new-l...

Good news that one. The fact Southgate is still overlooking him is outrageous.

Nice, presume rider for spray tan booth installed in the changing rooms got the deal over the line. I was expecting Tomi one too, perhaps latest injury is giving them second thoughts.

Ben left England squad "due to personal reasons", I presume the roses needed watering or something, I don't think he's bothered about England and given number of matches and a few minor strains I'd rather he wasn't called up.

[MOBB]

Its a shame he doesnt play for England - back 4 could be Walker/White/Stones/Trippier which would be pretty strong

[Cheib]

TikTak said:

Benny Blanco signs on the dotted line.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/ben-white-signs-new-l...

Good news that one. The fact Southgate is still overlooking him is outrageous.

Let’s face it for Arsenal it means he gets more rest time…and he’s playing for a better manager.

I imagine Southgate thinks he’s got plenty of right backs…if it was a position they had more need in he might try and get him back in the team. Personally I’d have him at CB over some of Southgate’s picks…..

[TikTak]

Oh yeah don't get me wrong, I'm delighted he's not ruining his knees in laboured England games against minnows but at the same time it is a shame.

Who we hoping for in the CL draw? No easy games at this stage I guess. Weirdly might be Bayern or Barca these days ...

[Ben Jk]

Southgate has given quite a bit of clarity on the Benny Blanco situation. "Door wide open", The more I hear the more I think it may be a MH situation? Maybe home sickness or similar?


Best English RB for sure on current form so its a shame.

[Wonderman]

Ben Jk said:

Southgate has given quite a bit of clarity on the Benny Blanco situation. "Door wide open", The more I hear the more I think it may be a MH situation? Maybe home sickness or similar?


Best English RB for sure on current form so its a shame.

From BBC

England manager Gareth Southgate says Ben White "didn't want to be considered" for an England call-up.

Southgate announced his squad for the friendlies against Belgium and Brazil on Wednesday and White was again absent. He has not featured for England since leaving the World Cup camp in November 2022.

"We had a call from [Arsenal's sporting director] Edu last week saying Ben didn't want to be considered for England squads at the moment." said Southgate.

"I spoke to him post-Qatar and there was reticence from his side. I don't know why that is, but I respect that. I leave the door open because he's a good player.

"There is no issue between us at all and there's also no issue with [assistant manager] Steve Holland, which has been mentioned in articles, and I don't like that.

"I have to accept things are false about me, but I'm not prepared for that to happen to my coaching team. That is not the reason Ben is not with us."

Southgate was asked if there was still an opportunity for White to return to contention.

"I want that door wide open," he replied. "He would be in this squad, but he's not available to us."

[Wonderman]

TikTak said:

Who we hoping for in the CL draw? No easy games at this stage I guess. Weirdly might be Bayern or Barca these days ...

From BBC following yesterdays matches:

BBC said:

Manchester City and Arsenal will find out their opponents in the Champions League quarter-finals when the draw is made on Friday at 11:00 GMT in Nyon, Switzerland.

The two English clubs could play against each other while also left in the tournament are Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid.

The draw for the semi-final round will take place at the same time.

The Gunners beat Porto on penalties to make it to the quarter-final, while holders City overcame FC Copenhagen 6-2 on aggregate in the last 16.

The Champions League final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 1 June.

I don't think UEFA wants more than 1 English club in the Semi so expect the Citeh and Arsenal balls to be glowing hot in the transparent bowl and be drawn together- do we think the middle east have enough envelopes laying around to get their dream final

Citeh v Arsenal (dodgy ref/ red card/ VAR/ Haaland finally get out of Saliba pocket after Saliba is shown a red)
Real v Dortmund
Barca v Bayern
Athletico v PSG

Semi
Real v Citeh
Barca v PSG

Final
Citeh v PSG

All the Spanish teams will be in max sniper mode but Barca look the leakiest of the 3 at the back so them if has to one of them.
Dortmund have more draws, scored less and conceded more than Bayern, and Kane always gets at least 1 pen against us each match so I think Dortmund over Bayern for me.
Not seen much of PSG this year but given league lead they seem to be cruising so hard to judge.

If not Citeh "fix", I'll go for Dortmund and hope Sanchozzer regains United level form...

Edited by Wonderman on Thursday 14th March 15:30

Edited by Wonderman on Thursday 14th March 15:31

[RacingPete]

I was thinking that we probably end up with Atletico like usual and go out... Having watched the games I would want Dortmund out of that lot.