On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Keef]

Definitely the underdogs I'd say, but don't sound so defeatest, they have a great chance. Besides, an Arsenal Vs Barca final would be a great repeat of '06.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I've had a feeling all year that we would play Barca at some point this season so by that token...

But I was thinking this morning that even if we storm into a 3-0 lead, all they have to do is score one and then we will wobble badly

Tense night ahead methinks

[Sandperson]

I'm thinking a draw. One goal from us leaves them needing 3. It's a real shame as this game a few years back would have been a barn stormer but I think that with the lack of animosity (Keane/Viera et al) and the lack of Arsenal competativeness over the last few seasons (sorry LG and AG, not a wind-up but a statement of fact) has taken all the shine off these games.

Cue them giving us a hding....;-)

[red devil]

Looking forward to the game, should be a great atmosphere, and the tie is definitely not over, maybe 1st goal winner?...

[citizenED]

I'm thinking of the 1988/89 season. Arsenal beating Liverpool by the two clear goals they needed to win the title. Hope springs eternal...

[Ladygooner]

I am predicting a win for Arsenal tonight 2-0!

[ratty]

I am looking forward to the game, but, seeing as Arsenal beat us at the weekend, I am hoping Man U win 3-0! Sorry gooners! We Pompey fans are fickle, and besides, you have a scummer in your squad!

[Ladygooner]

Ratty - I predicted our 3-0 victory at Pompey (no Arshavin goals) or hoping I am right again tonight

[ratty]

Ladygooner Wrote:

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> Ratty - I predicted our 3-0 victory at Pompey (no

> Arshavin goals) or hoping I am right again tonight

Indeed you did. Pretty impressive prediction too, considering it came between the Champs League games.

Good luck ce soir of course!

[snorky]

???? Wrote:

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> They are all so crap down there now it's scary -

> Boro' Vs Newcastle will decide one place. If there

> was a god, West Brom would stay up and "the

> geordie nation" *trys not to laugh* would go down

> as a Trimurvite (sp)...the biggest myth in

> football, "the NE Hotbed of Football"...go and

> look at 80s attendencies when no-one liked

> football...there are two hotbeds of football in

> this country, the North West and London, end of..

>

> *awaits barcodes' vitriol*

Here we go again

Geordie nation ( like toon army ) are media inventions , ususually soft southern press inventions to boot - indeed, Adidas marketed Toon army & I suppooe they still have the copyright on it from back in the '90s. Not long for this mortal coil, Thatcher aplogist, fascist, shtehawk and Pit village violator , Sir John Hall sadly used this kind of bluster as often as possible - much to the embarrasment of the B&W clad masses.

The crowd levels argument is not true with Newcastle, despite it being used ata every possible occasion by the soft southern critics- Loiuse whatsghername in the handwringing Guardian related this piece of bollocks at every opportunity - like the protocl so the elders of Zion, it now seems to be accepted as fact by those who really dont have a clue.

SJH made a neat little ?55M to stash in his GIbraltar bolt hole when he sold the club- not to mention the tens of milliosn he & his vile rapacious crew took in salary, dividends & incestous business contracts that made NUFC such a money spinner for them.

Dont get on the fans backs, but direct your abuse at those who created this malleable bubble and robbed an economic backwater of its hope and stole their dreams

[Atila Reincarnate]

Sandperson Wrote:

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the lack of Arsenal competativeness

> over the last few seasons (sorry LG and AG, not a

> wind-up but a statement of fact) has taken all the

> shine off these games.

>

> Cue them giving us a hding....;-)

Erm 2 -1 at our place this season, and 2 -1 at our place in Henry's last season (what a header), and a feisty 2 -2 at our place last season, I wouldn't say that demonstrates a lack of a competitive edge!

[Sandperson]

Ok, tell me what trophies you've won since the 04-05 season? I was making a point about the overall performance of Arsenal in the last few seasons, not saying they haven't been good against us. As I am ever the pessimist I am sure that we will be beaten tonight but 2-1 would suit me.

[Atila Reincarnate]

As underdogs with a makeshift back four, I'm not expecting a lot tonight, but faith springs eternal and we are usually better when the odds are stacked against us, having said that we'll probably win 1 - 0 and go out in a penalty shoot out.

[Mick Mac]

I'm for a MU victory tonight - a win on the night. Arsenal are showing commendable form but I always feel United have what it takes on the big nights. I think the premiership is pretty much won now so it will be all guns blazing tonight. I'm going for Arsenal 1-2 MU (agg 1-3).

[Atila Reincarnate]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> Anyone give Arsenal a chance tonight? No, me

> neither...

We're always in with a chance against Manure, do not have agreat back four but it's backs against the wall time which is usually when we pull our best preformances. Here's hoping, nobody gives us a chance so anything we get out of this game will be a positive.

[matthew123]

Yes, Arsenal can win tonight. If they show faith in a high tempo game they can break United down and run that United midfield ragged. I don't think United have the defensive unit (defenders & midfield) to withstand a turbo charged Arsenal. I'm expecting a high scoring match with Arsenal to cut loose.

The Italian referee is a bit of a show pony himself, but expect him to clamp down early on the usual Ronaldo histrionics. With Rooney a yellow card away from missing the Final he may not have the usual fire in his belly.

This is one game that should not leave a bitter taste; what with no Steve Bennett, Rob Styles, Mike Riley or Howard Webb in charge we can assume the victor tonight will have won fairly.

Prediction: 4-2 or 4-1 to Arsenal

[Sandperson]

That's right Matthew, because we have such a weak midfield. And of course no Arsenal players play up for the ref do they?

[red devil]

L'Arse have 4 players on yellow cards - Van Persie, Diaby, Song & Nasri;

Utd 3 - Rooney, Tevez & Evra...I'm sure Rooney would take one for the team...

[Keef]

Bloody hell, hadn't even got to the tell yet, and I see on line that Man U are a goal up! Mountain to climb now for Arsenal, but the fat lady is stuck in traffic, and won't be taking the stage for a while yet...

[ratty]

she's singing already

[Mikecg]

Looks like they have bent over for UTD, Again.

[Keef]

Was hoping for a really exciting match, could still turn out that way, but 2 early goals have pretty much taken the sting out of it.

[SeanMacGabhann]

We look a shadow of ourselves. Started bright enough but an ill timed slip and a cracking free kick (from a soft award mind ) and the kids are lost. Ah well. . Im not surprised and just hope they re group for next season

[Mikecg]

Never say die my man it's not over yet, optimistic I know but shurley they wont give up just yet, will they?.

[matthew123]

Just thrown ?2 away at 120/1 for Arsenal to turn it around to reach final...