UCL: Arsenal v Steaua Bucharest
-
Arsenal v Steaua Bucharest
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Kick-off: 7.45pm (uk time), 3.45am (Singapore Time) -
Champions League Table:
-
wats there to play ?
-
*WENGER CALM OVER EURO KNOCKOUT STAGE*
Arsene Wenger is prepared to shoulder his share of the blame should Arsenal not win their Champions League group - but warned other teams would not be "especially keen" to face the Gunners in the last 16.
Following defeat in Sevilla with a much-changed side - which ended a 28-match unbeaten streak - Arsenal must now beat whipping boys Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night and hope the result in Prague goes their way if the Barclays Premier League leaders are to overhaul the Spaniards and secure top spot in Group H.
That would mean seeding for the knock-out stages - and avoiding other likely group winners such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter or AC Milan.
However, Wenger - who must serve a one-match touchline ban following his sending off at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium - reckons the prospect of facing Arsenal, who reached the Champions League final in 2006, would not be so appetising either.
"Of course I want to finish top of the group, but if we do finish second, nobody would be especially keen to play against us," the Gunners boss declared.
"I feel we gave up a big advantage [in Sevilla], and yes that was partly down to my selection - but I had many players on the edge after the international games and I had to make a choice.
"I try to find the right balance between not losing and keeping a strong team.
"But I should not even have played [Cesc] Fabregas, and I ended up losing him to injury."
Barcelona playmaker Deco feels the Gunners could mount a real challenge in Europe this season, and Wenger would not be overly concerned to face one of the other heavyweights when the knock-out format begins.
He said: "I feel for us maybe it is not necessarily a disadvantage to play the big clubs. At least the big clubs will play as well.
"Last year, we lost against PSV Eindhoven, who refused to play in the first and the second game, just waiting for one counter attack. Yet we struggled more than we had done in the season before against Real Madrid.
"Maybe you play against Real Madrid or Barcelona, and you say 'what a Hell of a task' - but then a different problem you face because they will come out and play."
Wenger firmly believes his current side have the burning ambition to succeed.
However, the Arsenal manager is cautious to predict whether the latest crop can emulate the 'Invincibles' of 2003-04 and go a whole domestic league season without defeat.
"We have different qualities now," Wenger said.
"Maybe we are not a strong as we were impact-wise, but we are more mobile and technically different, more creative - that is now what we want to show."
The Arsenal boss added: "We will try to go as far as we can, but we have only played 15 [Premier League] games.
"If we had played 25 or 28, then I would have said yes, but it is too early.
"I see the hunger and togetherness, the desire to do well - but for unbeaten? We are [still] too far [away]." -
cool...
-
If aW field out the same team against sevilla,its a draw. Lucky this is at emirates...
-
is wenger serving suspension for this match?
-
yes.Originally posted by 798:is wenger serving suspension for this match? -
sorry to bother, weds or thurs morning
-
thurs morning i think.
-
mid week action is not interesting at all.. i'm only concerned about this weekend's game. 2 BIG games ON and this time i hope we will win it!
i hope Arsene fields a stronger side for the lads to get their free flowing football back. -
4-0 Arsenal Home Win!
-
Lehmann to return to Arsenal ranks
Jens Lehmann is set to return to the Arsenal team for Wednesday's Champions League Group H clash against Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium.
Striker Robin van Persie will also be in the squad, having recovered from a knee problem which sidelined him since October, while midfielder Abou Diaby is fit again following a back problem.
Striker Nicklas Bendtner, centre-half Philippe Senderos and young Brazilian midfielder Denilson are all in contention, as manager Arsene Wenger looks to give his fringe players a chance to impress with one eye on Sunday's key Premier League game against Chelsea.
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Alexander Hleb (Achilles) are all still sidelined.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, J Hoyte, Gallas, Senderos, Traore, Diaby, Gilberto, Diarra, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner, Almunia, Fabianski, van Persie, Eduardo, Sagna, Clichy, Toure, Rosicky, Adebayor, Song, Eboue.
Time for mad jens to show what he is made of! -
Originally posted by felirox:
tink he had enuff rest liao... hope he can return to form tat brought us to the finals... hope wenger can give clichy n toure a gd rest...
[b]Lehmann to return to Arsenal ranks
Jens Lehmann is set to return to the Arsenal team for Wednesday's Champions League Group H clash against Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium.
Striker Robin van Persie will also be in the squad, having recovered from a knee problem which sidelined him since October, while midfielder Abou Diaby is fit again following a back problem.
Striker Nicklas Bendtner, centre-half Philippe Senderos and young Brazilian midfielder Denilson are all in contention, as manager Arsene Wenger looks to give his fringe players a chance to impress with one eye on Sunday's key Premier League game against Chelsea.
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Alexander Hleb (Achilles) are all still sidelined.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, J Hoyte, Gallas, Senderos, Traore, Diaby, Gilberto, Diarra, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner, Almunia, Fabianski, van Persie, Eduardo, Sagna, Clichy, Toure, Rosicky, Adebayor, Song, Eboue.
Time for mad jens to show what he is made of!
[/b] -
Originally posted by felirox:
hopefully he can walk the talk!
[b]Lehmann to return to Arsenal ranks
Jens Lehmann is set to return to the Arsenal team for Wednesday's Champions League Group H clash against Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium.
Striker Robin van Persie will also be in the squad, having recovered from a knee problem which sidelined him since October, while midfielder Abou Diaby is fit again following a back problem.
Striker Nicklas Bendtner, centre-half Philippe Senderos and young Brazilian midfielder Denilson are all in contention, as manager Arsene Wenger looks to give his fringe players a chance to impress with one eye on Sunday's key Premier League game against Chelsea.
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Alexander Hleb (Achilles) are all still sidelined.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, J Hoyte, Gallas, Senderos, Traore, Diaby, Gilberto, Diarra, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner, Almunia, Fabianski, van Persie, Eduardo, Sagna, Clichy, Toure, Rosicky, Adebayor, Song, Eboue.
Time for mad jens to show what he is made of!
[/b]
-
guess the ppl at starhub/espn reali dislikes gunners... they rather show rangers vs lyon...
-
everyone is writing us off too just becos we only lost 1 match.Originally posted by BrUtUs:guess the ppl at starhub/espn reali dislikes gunners... they rather show rangers vs lyon... -
only this match is interesting
the manure one is lousy
lol, i bought -1 1/2 on ass-anal -
anyone watching this match online?
-
cant get the link, anybody can watch thru live streaming?
-
Arsenal 2-1 Steaua Bucharest - Match Report
Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday night was not enough to secure them top spot in Champions League Group H. Arsène Wenger’s side could now face one of Europe’s major names in the draw for the last 16.
A point in their last two European games had left the London outfit playing catch-up on leaders Sevilla. The equation this evening was to win themselves and hope the Spaniards slipped up at Slavia Prague.
It looked good for over an hour. Goals from Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner allowed Arsenal to move into cruise control. Meanwhile Robin van Persie looked excellent in his first start for two months.
However just after Dorel Zaharia had headed Steaua back into the game after 69 minutes at Emirates, Luis Fabiano gave Sevilla the advantage in the Czech capital. Freddie Kanoute added another two minutes later and Daniel completed the victory just before time. Though Arsenal held on to their win amid Steaua pressure, they were forced to settle for second place.
It was a disappointment but not a big one. The main job of Group H was achieved two games ago when Arsenal secured their place in the Knockout Stages. Their opponents will be decided on December 21.
But while Arsenal may face a major European force in the draw, anyone taking on WengerÂ’s side will know they have precisely the same problem.
The manager had made it apparent that there would be changes in his starting XI for Matchday Six. However the extent was a little surprising. We knew Jens Lehmann would play his first Arsenal game since August 19. The immediate return of Van Persie and Diaby was a little more surprising. Alex Song and Denilson were paired in central midfield, Philippe Senderos came in behind with Armand Traore at left back.
To illustrate the switch around, all seven substitutes were full internationals.
WengerÂ’s thinking was clear. Pack the side with enough quality to win the game but keep an insurance policy on the bench.
Emirates Stadium provided an almost eerie backdrop at kick-off this evening. Travel disruption meant the ground was under-populated when the teams walked out and a touch of winter mist only added to the atmosphere.
However Arsenal were far from unsettled. WengerÂ’s side were in control from the first whistle and never looked ruffled from the moment they took an early lead.
After two minutes, Van Persie sent an exquisite through-ball into the right-hand channel. Walcott raced on to it but pulled his shot inches past the post. A couple of minutes later the 18-year-old collected the ball 10 yards outside the area, weaved past a pair of half-hearted challenges before thudding a shot over the bar.
The England winger was also involved in the opener after eight minutes. He spread the ball wide to Sagna on the right. The FrenchmanÂ’s low, curling cross into the area was controlled with one touch of DiabyÂ’s long right leg. His second planted a shot across Robinson Zapata and into the far corner of the net.
It was starting to become one-way traffic. In the 12th minute Diaby nearly grabbed his second. His deflected drive from just inside the area looked destined for the top corner again before Zapata threw himself to his left to spectacularly turn the ball aside.
Steaua were trying to pressurise but it seemed that picking up one point from their first five Group H has dented their confidence. Their best chance of the half came on the quarter-hour when Nicolae Dica fed Adrian Neaga on the right but Traore timed his sliding tackle to perfection.
Van Persie saw a long-range drive deflected over as Arsenal kicked-on once more but it was Walcott who was really catching the eye. Before the half-hour the winger had escaped a couple of times in the right-hand channel. His crosses floated dangerously across goal however, on both occasions, no-one was on-hand to convert.
But Arsenal were relentless. Van Persie curled an effort wide then TraoreÂ’s marauding run down the left ended with a neat ball towards Bendtner at the near post. Only desperate Steaua defending prevented a goal.
The Dane did not have long to wait. Three minutes before half time Song found Van Persie on the edge of the area. The DutchmanÂ’s tantalising twist and perceptive pass gave Bendtner a little space in the area. He hurdled one challenge and then planted a low shot into the far corner. A cool finish on a chilly night.
Arsenal began the second half with a certain strut. There was a sense of confidence and control in everything they did. Van PersieÂ’s fizzed a free-kick through a crowded area and narrowly wide of the far post. Then, just before the hour, Zapata roared out of his goal to deny Bendtner as he raced clear.
Van Persie made way for Eduardo with 25 minutes left. Almost immediately, Steaua grabbed a goal. Substitute Romeo Surdu whipped a hopeful cross in the area and Zaharia steered a header beyond Lehmann and into the far corner. It was a shock and against the run of play but it ignited the visiting team and their fans.
Lassana Diarra and Emmanuel Eboue came on. The IvorianÂ’s first act was to hurry back as Steaua broke forward and clear SurduÂ’s driven cross over this own bar.
Bendtner nearly forced a third when Zapata spilled his shot from distance. But, at the other end, Ovidiu Petre sent a swerving long-range effort inches past LehmannÂ’s left-hand post with a few minutes left.
Walcott and Eduardo went clear in the final minutes but Zapata stood firm. Arsenal deserved to hold on to their win tonight and, in most groups, 13 points would enough for top spot.
Just not this time. -
*Van Persie happy with return*
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was pleased with his return to action in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Steaua Bucharest.
The Dutchman had been out of action for the last two months with a knee injury.
Van Persie marked his return by helping create Arsenal's second goal for Nicklas Bendtner before coming off after 64 minutes.
The talented forward is now in contention to face Chelsea on Grand Slam Sunday and he was happy to be back playing after such a lengthy spell out.
"I am very pleased. It has been too long, two months I think," Van Persie told Sky Sports 2.
"I was unlucky when it happened but I am back now and I want to thank the
medical staff. They showed me great ambition to make me fit." -
*Wenger - Game isn't a 'present' for Lehmann*
Jens Lehmann is not being handed a ‘gift of a game’ against Steaua Bucharest tonight.
The German keeper is set to make his first Arsenal appearance since August 19 when the Romanian side visit Emirates Stadium on Matchday Six. The 38-year-old, who made a couple of high-profile errors at the start of the campaign, was absent initially due to injury then Arsène Wenger decided to stick with Manuel Almunia.
In his pre-match press conference, the manager revealed his reasons for re-instating the former-Schalke stopper now.
“It is good for every goalkeeper to practice but at some stage you need to play at a competitive level,” he said. “I decided when we qualified with two games to go that the game in Spain would be played by Almunia and the game in England by Lehmann.
"It is not a present. It was decided three weeks ago. It is to keep him fit and competitive because Almunia will play in the Carling Cup and we need the three 'keepers to be competitive. If Almunia gets injured tomorrow then you need Lehmann to have played.”
Wenger baulked at suggestions it would present him with a selection issue if Lehmann displayed the form that made him one of the stars of the 2006 World Cup.
"Why should it be a problem if a player plays well?” replied the manager. “It is a problem if he doesn't play well. In football you have one problem after another one. It is good to anticipate but you do not need to solve a problem you don't have. For all of us the only target is to do well for the Club - and we can only do that if we perform well.”
LehmannÂ’s omission from the side has sparked newspapers suggestions of a move in the January transfer window. It is fair to say WengerÂ’s comments on Tuesday neither opened nor shut the door.
“His ‘long-term future’ depends on, at 38, what you call a ‘long-term future’,” the Frenchman said. “We haven't spoken about that.
"Jens has a one-year contract so that is not long. At the moment I expect him to play well in this game. I can't guarantee he will be here for the second half of the season but I can't make that guarantee about anyone. And we have not been in touch with anybody.” -
maybe the boss want to make lemon cup-tied for UCL should any rival clubs trying to buy him?