Marseille at the Emirates - Monreal, Ozil

Two things I came away with on Tuesday night:

1. Nacho Monreal is a quality left back who would enhance our defence. He should be the first choice left back for the Arsenal. Would be cruel on Gibbs, but in matches with the big / European teams I would rather have Monreal in the side. 

2. Still trying to understand Mesut Ozil's temperament. He was his usual self up until the penalty miss. Flings off his gloves in disgust and immediately there was an urgency in his running. The assist in the second half was inevitable. Hope to see more of that and possibly goals as well. 

Corner flag (vol 2.3)

It eventually was one of the most exciting games that I have ever witnessed. Out played for significant periods of time, to come back and equalise in the manner they did, was just fucking fantastic. Yes, we lost Fabregas and Arshavin for rest of the season, but the final 30 minutes was just fucking brilliant - a bit emotional for the monkey over here and for scores of other monkeys around the world.

Its only half-way though the QF and with our 2 best players out, its going to be a bigger ask away at Nou Camp. But its all there to play for as Petit declares over here. With our squad decimated, its pointless to analyse our chances in the Champions league and the Premier league. Its down to the 12-14 players that remain to become bigger players (in height, skills and mental ability) - one way that can happen, is to plug into the Matrix.

In other words, I don't expect them to win anything - but have every opportunity to become bigger players by putting on a show - for the club, for us monkeys and for themselves. Its time to hope and only hope - which is not a bad thing honestly.

                       

Corner flag (vol 2.2)

In a few hours, one of the most anticipated games of the season kicks off in North London. Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions league QF. Much has been written of the 2 stylish teams - but they couldn't have been more different - one a champion of all silverware last year and the other, a young, naive lot who have won nothing.

It is going to be tough for Arsenal no doubt. Wenger has, as always before big games, challenged his team to beat the odds and their more accomplished opponents. As I have been saying on Corner flag before, its all down to the mental ability of the team to deliver a balanced performance. Calmness in attacking, defending tightly when not in possession and keeping shape at all times. I continue to think that the ingredients, in terms of players, are there and have developed even further this season. It pretty much boils down to being alive for 90 minutes and not getting excited. Its about learning from the quite a few fuckups that have occurred this year.

Will they do it? We have faced this question a few times before. I remember Feb 2007 Carling Cup finals against Chelsea - there were similar expectations; "could this be the win thats going to kick-start a secular championship winning run?" I remember thinking then:  "Could this be the silverware that is going to infuse that mental ability, that confidence, to be feared, to be champions". Balls happened (and a few red cards), as we now know. Following year it was the league that was promising - captain & an ankle exploded and all confidence quickly vanished. Last year, the expectations never really took off - but this year, its all holding together. Strangely.

But, can they beat Barcelona - over 2 legs and do the impossible? I think they will. But I am a monkey, so the fact that I do think Arsenal will beat the greatest club in the world shouldn't surprise you.

The manager has toned down his "public" expectations of his team and has on a few occasions admitted his frustration with the team and shortcomings in crucial games. I am beginning to wonder just as the team has started to mature, he too has evolved i.e. being more open about the weaknesses that persist and "facing it". In a subconscious sort of a way, I think its basically handing over control to his players.

Though, we all know that one day things will click - but the interim period has been terribly painful. Will nothing change this 2 leg clash? Fuck knows.

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Must direct all to this wonderful interview with the greatest legend. For some one who had said when he retired that he will never return to a football pitch, he seems to be revelling in his role at the Ajax youth academy. Its wonderful to come across his thoughts, as he seldom is heard in public. And more importantly for me, it was interesting to read his objective look at Wenger's philosophy and the absolute defence of his old coach's beliefs. For monkeys like me, reassurance is required from time to time. And this has been long overdue.

Corner flag (vol 2.1)

Yes, the Third Ball has been in touch and I have been rather busy, therefore unable to communicate his views in time. I obviously didn't know that the team would run into this patch and things would look so good - but lets listen to the third ball now:

1. "I told you it would yo-yo. And it will still do so. But we will win. Premier league it will be."

Third ball then admitted that if it doesnt happen, he is more than happy to go missing forever.  And I would take over. Thats what I am, the third ball.

2. "Champions league - not to worry, we will get through the 4th round and do more damage".

Didn't quite know it will be so easy against Porto. But the team has come together, like the season they did when Flamini was at Emirates and (ironically) before the Eduardo incident, since the Stoke City win.

The quiet hero of all this has been Gael Clichy. When the captain Fabregas and the "new" leader Sol Campbell were busy holding their heads at the ungainly sight of a, yet another, crooked ankle, it was Clichy that caught hold of his team mates and said, 'Lets go do this'. He obviously remembers the story at St. Andrews and took the opportunity to be the real leader. And quietly. Beautiful.

I am possibly a greater twit than the third ball. But then such is the life of a football fan.

3. "And yes, we will be playing Inter Milan some time soon - quarters or even later."

Though Wenger has a funny feeling that its going to be an English team next.

4. More records tumbled in this Champions league campaign. Apparently, its the first time in over 30 years where we reversed a first leg loss to win a tie. First Ronald Koeman, then this and next it will be Jose Mourinho the special cunt. And after that it could be the Champions league itself. But that strangely Third Ball was non-committal about.