- Atlético Madrid v Arsenal: a new regulation, and the forecast of heavy rain
- Atletico Madrid v Arsenal: the signs from the season are in Arsenal’s favour
And recently on the Arsenal History Society website we continue to cover “100 Consecutive Seasons in the Top Divsion.” Our latest articles are
- Arsenal: 100 Seasons in the Top Division: 1988/89 – part one
- 100 seasons in the top division: 1988/89 part two – winning the league
- 1989/90: After winning the league, and the move to all-seater stadia
-
By Tony Attwood
As we approach tonight’s game away against Atlético Madrid, we hear the story that a certain Jose Mourinho is contemplating going back to the Bernabéu. Quite why is not clear – although the fact that Real Mad are 11 points behind Barcelona in the league does suggest that in Spanish terms at least, a managerial change is needed.
Mourinho has been the manager of a dozen teams by my count, although I might have missed one or two, as the fellow does seem to get around a bit, but certainly his going back to the club where he won the league in 2011–12, fits with the current state of football journalism and is occupying some thinking time in Spain. And as one paper put it, “Like a chain of stores selling cheap sporting goods that is permanently hosting a closing-down sale, Mourinho refuses to go away.”
Or as one Facebook page said recently, “If Mourinho genuinely is the answer, what is the question?”
Of course, this is nothing for us to worry about, although watching Mourinho move around (he is currently being tipped to go to Manchester United) is always slightly distracting when the weather turns a bit dull. But for now, we have the upcoming Champions League game, which hopefully will be a trifle more exciting.
By my reckoning, Arsenal have played 12 Champions League games this season, starting with Athletic Club 0 Arsenal 2 back in September. The first eight games were in the initial league, and you might recall how Arsenal did. Here is their position and that of tonight’s opposition…
| P | S | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
| 1 | Arsenal | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 4 | +19 | 24 |
| 14 | Atlético Madrid | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 13 |
In the round of 16, Arsenal knocked out Bayer Leverkusen, and that was followed by Sporting CP in the quarter finals (2-0 and 1-1). So now we move on to the semi-finals, as is the norm with these affairs.
Perhaps the biggest worry is that through most of the earlier rounds Arsenal were knocking in more goals than of late, including a 4-0 against Atletico Madrid, along with three against Inter, among other enjoyable moments.
So now we move on to the possible team….
The EVening Standard comes up with…
Raya;
Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie;
Zubimendi, Rice;
Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli;
Gyokeres
Sports Illustrated go with exactly the same!
MSN also go with the same, which is not unprecedented but somewhat unusual. It is almost as if someone is copying from someone else, but I am absolutely certain no journalist would ever do that without actually acknowledging the fact.
However, having just one lineup in three places seems a bit disappointing so we did go a bit further and found Sporting News and at last they have a variation…
Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie
Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard
Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
But we do have one final bit of news, thanks, not for the first time, to Sports Mole who kindly tell us that, “Atleti have reimagined their identity on the continent this term, having already recorded their highest-ever goal tally in Europe’s premier competition with 34 goals – eclipsing their previous best from the 2013-14 campaign (26). They scored eight of their UCL goals this season against Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a two-legged last-16 win (8-5).”
So we need to watch out, although the fact that eight of the goals were against the Tiny Totts does take the edge off their achievements a bit.
And for no particular reason other than it brings a smile to our faces as we gather the info for each article, here is the Premier League table (that is to say, the bottom bit).
|
Club
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 |
|
34
|
8
|
10
|
16
|
43
|
53
|
-10
|
34
|
| 19 |
|
34
|
4
|
8
|
22
|
34
|
68
|
-34
|
20
|
| 20 |
|
34
|
3
|
8
|
23
|
24
|
62
|
-38
|
17
|
So there we are. What else can one say except enjoy the game? Although 0-8 to the Arsenal would be fun.
Managers will always be judged on success and success means trophies.
Leon that is of course quite true. But it doesn’t mean that because a load of journalists and their followers make such judgements, those judgements are right. Only one manager can win the league each year, and if that club breaks the rules on fiannces over 100 times, it is likely to be that winner. Arsenal could of course change their managers over and over again in order to try and catch Manchester C, but I doubt that it would work. Arsenal could also try and adopt ManC tactics and get investments in the club far beyond anything allowed by the league’s rules. But I think if I saw Arsenal cheating like that I’d give up supporting them. Part of my support for the club is currently based on the fact that they do not behave like Manchester C.
Athletico have a Champions League record this season of W7 D2 L5. Arsenal’s is W10 D2 L0.
Athletico obviously achieved a fine win 2-0 at Barcelona a few weeks ago and, as such, the media seem to think that makes them a huge challenge for Arsenal. However, that win was one of only two they have had this month, sandwiched between which were five straight defeats.
Last month wasn’t much better either. They won three and lost three and two of the wins were by just one goal, the other being 5-2 at home to the, relegation zoned, Spuds. But let’s not forget, they actually managed to lose at home to the Totts, so not a very good record at all.
Overall the two legs they won 7-5 on aggregate. Arsenal’s two games against Spurs both finished 4-1 in our favour, so despite what the media tell us, it’s no wonder the bookies have us as hot favourites to make it to the final.
What happens if we make it to the final is anybody’s guess after last night though!!