Whither Treble?

Doenitz SG

90 minutes is a very long period of time in the football world.Not too long ago,Arsene Wenger claimed that his side was capable of accomplishing the Treble,but see what happened?

I feel that Arsenal is not good enough to be in the knockout stages of the European Cup. This,I think can be attributed to their inexperience and complacency.To be the best,you have to take on the best AND beat them. Five draws out of six is never Championship winning form.They made things difficult for themselves by taking it to the wire and suffered the consequences of player fatigue.On the other hand,Manchester United showed how it is to be done.They wrapped up qualification with two games in hand hence avoiding that Dreaded Fixture Congestion.What is remarkable is that they did the Double over one of the biggest names in European football,The Old Lady Juventus.True, they did not play as well as they like to,but at this stage of the season,it is not fanciful play that matters the most. It is efficiency...

In fact,as the climax of the season approaches, it is possible that Professor Wenger might end up with nothing...Their confidence is rock bottom after two successive defeats.Everton and Chelsea would do well to capitalize on this and spring another two upsets and if that happens,I forsee the Premiership Title moving north this season,yet again.

Cerebral_Assassin SG

words from a possibly man u fan......i'm a arsenal and juventus fan.....this is what i think.
Arsenal is not good enff to reach the semi finals of champs league, but they deserve a place in the last 8. Ajax do not deserve it. As far as i see, Ajax, Valencia and Juventus will not go far in the competition. Juventus need some spark and be more zai to make it. Arsenal definitely is in contention for the EPL crown, provided their solve their problems they have now. Man U, they r damn good at taking their chances, but they lack the cutting edge. Look at other teams such as Newcastle, Barcelona, Real madrid. They cannot win spectacularly. If u say their 3-0 win over juventus is something to celebrate, i dun think so. It is just a gift for man u from juventus. Man u have barthez to thanks for this season's performance so far. U r rite that arsenal is complacent in the EPL and inexperienced in the champs league. Man u does not have the capability to win the champs and EPL. They dun deserve it. Even if they win both, it'll be a case as with the treble. SHEER LUCK!

gasband SG

I think Alex Ferguson would rather Arsenal make it to the quarter finals. Reason being, in the EPL, Man U is only 2 pts behind now, so if Arsenal is still in the CL competition, they woud be distracted and Man U may be able to chase up and as for the CL, anything could happen on the night of the match. But now arsenal is out, they will put all their focus on the EPL and that by any means is no good news to Man U. I tip Arsenal to win EPL with Man U probably a place in CL final and 2nd place in CL and Newcastle and Liverpool 3rd and 4th respectively.

Doenitz SG

I expect this to come from a Gunner.

Negative...I am not a MU fan,but a fan of the Beautiful Game. Wink

You made this point about Lady Luck.To a certain extent,teams do well because they have Lady Luck on their side.But you need to be good before you have luck.All the luck in the world will matter for nothing if you are simply not good enough.Did MU win the European Cup just because of Luck? They won it through sheer determination and teamwork-two abstract factors which I feel is most important in the Game.Ultimately,the Game is played by entities of fresh and blood.On a player by player basis,Bayern Munich was better in the realm of technique and skill.But they lacked focus and their concentration was found wanting as the game progressed and they paid the price for it.Teams who are hardworking,determined and cohesive as a unit can make up for a lack of skill and beat more technically gifted teams. That is why we have the Chievos,the Evertons and the Senegals...which made the Game even more interesting.

So do you think the Miracle of 31st May 2002 was a case of sheer luck?

By the way,inasmuch as I am a neutral,I tend to lean towards the dark horses.That is why I am rooting for Everton to claim a Champions League spot. Wink

eskyzone SG

I think sometime luck do make a different. Think Newcastle. 9 good chances for Bellamy and he cant score. Tough luck! Razz

Doenitz SG

I think the reason why Newcastle lost is because of their inexperience.This is their first Champions League campaign.The players do not have that attribute called big match mentality yet. Bellamy,I think was feeling the weight of expectation on him, hence all those misses...

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i think Arsenal is missing the likes of adams, dixon and co. look at their defenders - except for the centre backs, their full backs are not natural full backs.

I'm also wondering why Wiltord is not as impressive as he was during the beginning of the season; he's a class player i think.

oh anyway, i'm waiting to see Chelsea in the UEFA CL next season, give me Chelsea over boring liverpool anytime!

Master -_- SG

Woohoo Man U Top of the table.. for now Confused

Cerebral_Assassin SG

firstly, i'm not a gunner. I support arsenal because they play the beautiful game, especially Pires and Henry. u say bayern is a team technically gifted all that.....hahaha i have nothing to say but Shocked .....man u got teamwork?? gimme some e.g.s. they had teamwork when peter schmeichel was around, but since he left... Question
the 31st may 2002 was definitely a case of sheer luck...look at the no. of times the framework hit....and also how the goal came abt....hahaha....u r good at appreciating the beautiful game

Doenitz SG

The exact number of times Senegal hit the woodwork is twice.The goal came about because of a mistake made in midfield and also because the France defenders were caught napping.Senegal won because they could defend well while France could not put away their chances a la the Arsenal of late and not forgetting Newcastle.

MU no teamwork? Anyone want to refute that statement? Wink

Doenitz SG

As a footnote,with all due respect to Arsenal.I vehemently hope that Everton get a result tomorrow and consolidate the fourth place!

Forza Everton!

gasband SG

Cannot lah, Arsenal must win lah or else they concede 1st place. Now they out of CL, they will put all attn on EPL.

JLennon SG

its true that luck was on Utd's side in 1999 but they deserved it. both keane and becks then were playing great esp keane. the yorke-cole combo was deadly. in EPL then, they grinded out all the results that was required, including a comeback from 1-0 down to beat Spurs on the last game to win. in FA Cup, they beat Arsenal in the semis with schmeichel denying bergkamp's penalty and an amazing goal from giggs. in Champs League, they were tactically astute altho i must say that bayern could have won had basler's chip not hit the cross bar.

i do hope everton can get at least a point from Arsenal tomorrow especially when vieira and campbell may not be playing.

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Although the ‘99 final is unbelievable credit shld go to Man Utd for being undefeated throughout the season in the CL. Sigh it’s just the football gods being on their side. And it seems Man Utd can’t reach such heights again.