Champions League 2014/15

Olivier Giroud is a player I could never, ever rate as a good striker. Really don't get what he brings to Arsenal, they're a decent forward away from a title challenging side.

Don't think they'll have any problems going through now.
 
Damien said:
Surprised they didn't go for Aurier. He's versatile too as can play anywhere across back line and right wing. He's a big Arsenal fan being pictured in Arsenal top and everything but in the end it didn't happen.
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Yeah, me too. Even more surprising as Aurier wanted out and is a better player than Debuchy. Maybe the money at PSG persuaded him otherwise.
 
Damien said:
Surprised they didn't go for Aurier. He's versatile too as can play anywhere across back line and right wing. He's a big Arsenal fan being pictured in Arsenal top and everything but in the end it didn't happen.
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Yep definitely this. Thought Aurier was nailed on to end up at Arsenal.
 
The way Chambers has taken the step up and slotted in so smoothly is similar to Smalling's start with us. I feel at Arsenal he has the better platform to develop as the transition from being regularly in the team, to having to move around or wait for a chance is better there whereas with Smalling he had Vidic and Ferdinand in his way, as well as Evans and then Jones.

I also think Chambers has the benefit of being at a top level academy so has more nous to his game. Smalling began his proper development relatively late.
 
Boy wouldnt it be funny if Arsenal go out against Besiktas. It will come back to bite Sanchez in the arse.
 
If Aaron Ramsey didn't get red carded I probably would have given Arsenal a better chance to progress. Nonetheless I think a jammy winner from Cazorla/Sanchez will see them scrape through.
 
Even for neutrals I'd argue Lille - Porto is the most interesting game of the day. We have an incredibly young and talented squad, completely revamped from last season. Also an inexperienced manager at this club business thing (he was coaching Spain U's).

Not that I'm overly confident, it's a completely new project that will take some time to work, if it ever does. Only one official game under our belt, with some pleasant offensive details but also very hectic and dangerous at the back. Lille fits that perfectly, with a very stable squad these past few seasons, solid defense and quick forwards.

A good chance we'll have something nice to offer this season, I just hope we can do it in the CL and not in the EL.
 
Definitely watching Porto tonight, for the reasons @Arruda mentioned. Really want to see how they play with all the impressive youth at their disposal. Hope you get a win mate!
 
Think the ref's been pretty harsh on Celtic in the first 10 minutes. Been a couple of fouls he hasn't given.
 
This is playing out the same way the games against Legia did!
 
Was that a foul there too? Lucky the other player was there to score or it could have been worse for Celtic.
 
Il Prete Rosso said:
He's as useful as a dick-flavoured lollipop.
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He won their first league game with that knockdown. Went 16 in 36 in the league last year and 22 in 51 in all comps. He's basically an excellent 2nd number 9, which every team that plays one up front needs. Sort of like Welbeck should be. Maybe not a lethal enough scorer to be the main man up front for a CL contending side, but a very important member of the squad.

Arsenal need a proper scary 2 in 3 scoring number 9 like Sturridge, Costa or Rooney to lead their attack with Sanchez, Ozil and Ramsey behind him, and Giroud can spell him and play when he's hurt and come on to give another target in the box.
 
FromTheBench said:
How's Iturraspe been ? And Laporte ?
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Iturraspe made a couple conspicuous mistakes. Not his best game at all.
Laporte oozed class. Really impressive. Never gives the ball away cheaply, already knows how to stop a striker about to start running with a foul without getting a yellow and looked positionally really solid, as well as an aerial threat on set pieces.
Munian played quite well.
Susaeta struggled.

For Napoli, I thought Jorginho looked interesting (passing, deeper CM, poor man's Modric which there aren't enough of) but didn't play particularly well.

Mertens was great off the bench. Gave Di Marcos the Bilbao RB a real problem.
 
Did Origi sign for Liverpool in the end? Is he on loan at Lille? I seem to remember it being talked about as a certain deal, but I don't think I ever saw confirmation from Liverpool.
 
Yeah, on loan back to Lille for a year but the transfer went through.
 
Joemo said:
Did Origi sign for Liverpool in the end? Is he on loan at Lille? I seem to remember it being talked about as a certain deal, but I don't think I ever saw confirmation from Liverpool.
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Yeah signed for them and loaned to Lille.
 
Tello in and changing things.
 
Watching Zenit vs Liege currently because there's nothing else on.

Two things.

1. Tony Watt thinks he's much better than he actually is. Can see from the way he trots around the pitch and doesn't pass. Scores one goal against Barcelona and suddenly he's a world beater. Sort yer 'ead out mate.

2. Hulk is actually picking the ball up and dribbling past players like he's Messi at times. Where was this guy at the World Cup (or indeed, most other times I've ever seen him play). He's still not doing much but it's so strange to see someone who's clearly far too built actually ghosting past players for fun. Is it just because Liege are shit?
 
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