Hleb: "I Heard It Crunch..."

Alex Hleb has decided that he will not have surgery before the Champions League final...

"The possibility of surgery was discussed but because of the final, we have decided to stick to a week of rest, massage and physiotherapy," he told Pressball newspaper.

"When I showed the knee to the doctor, he said there was a danger of cartilage damage, but it turns out that the meniscus is okay but other parts of the knee are damaged. The knee is obviously sore.

"Early in the match, I took a blow to the knee - I heard it crunch and thought I might have to be substituted. But the pain died down, I felt better and played the full 90 minutes. Maybe because I had taken painkillers before the game for a bruised leg."

Champions League Final Kit

According to those fine chaps at arsenaltalk this is the kit we'll be wearing in Paris on 17th May...





Well, what do you think?

Lineker Wants Wenger For England

Gary Lineker has stated that Le Boss would be the best man for the England job.

Rumours are currently curculating that an offer has already been made to Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Lineker doesn't think he's the best man for the role...

Lineker said: "Scolari has got a very good record - but that was with Brazil and Ronaldinho, so well done there - and I am surprised because he has got no connection with English football whatsoever.

"It would take him probably three or four years to come to terms with the style of our play, the frenetic nature of the English game, who the individuals are.

"He comes from even further away than Sven does in terms of knowing our players. It would be a big ask for him.

"If the FA's criteria was 'Let's get the best man from wherever he comes from', well you just knock Arsène Wenger's door down until he answers it."

Nice One Thierry

TH14 has yet again been awarded the FWA player of the year - the third time in four years!

Paul Hetherington, chairman of the FWA told Reuters...

"Henry is a deserving winner in a season when there have been several outstanding candidates, such as Terry, Rooney and Gerrard.

"Henry's achievement ranks him up there as the greatest player in the 59-year history of the award."

Well done Titi!!!

Hill-Wood: Wenger Is 'The Best'

Peter Hill-Wood has admited that they haven't even begun to think of life without Le Boss...

"We have got the best manager of all and I dread the day when he tells us he's had enough." he said

"There is no plan B after Arsene."

"He doesn't want international football because he would miss the day-to-day involvement of club management. He has changed the face of Arsenal, there is no doubt about that."

"I have no idea what happens when he goes. Managers like Arsene Wenger only come around once in a lifetime.

"He is the best."

Here's a question...one day Wenger will obviously go. If you could pick anyone, who would you like to see as the next Arsenal manager?

Titi: No Time To Relax

Titi insists that we will still chase fourth place in the league, despite making it to the final of the CL...

"We can't start dreaming of the final now. We go back and we have a massive game against Sunderland." he said

"That's what we've been dealing with for a long time. There are only Barcelona and Ch*lsea who can relax because they are so many points ahead.

"Not even Milan can relax because they are three points behind Juventus and they have to concentrate on the league.

"Villarreal made a choice of dropping the league and you could see there was pressure on them but fortunately they didn't go through."

Thierry: "We Are Going There To Win It."

TH14 has warned the boys that if we lose to Barcelona in the final, the last nine months will count for nothing...

Speaking to the Mirror, Thierry said:

"I'm very proud to be the first Arsenal captain in the final but I want to be the first to lift the trophy. That's when you make history and that's what people remember. We've made history for the club by getting to the final but the history we're looking for is to do it in Europe.

"I know that everyone will always remember what we have already done and the teams we have knocked out along the way.

"This final means so many things. We showed that we can also play badly and win. Like at Juventus, Villarreal was a match for men, not boys. We showed we are not just a team that can win by playing good football. We can win by playing ugly too. But I am a winner. We are going there to win it."

Franco Gets The 'Ump!

Villarreal striker Guillermo Franco has got the right arsehole! He claims that we don't deserve our place in the CL final and that we did very little to get there.

"It was unfair," said the Mexican.

"Arsenal did very little, they played defensive football and we were the ones that controlled the game from start to finish."

"We did everything we could but at times football is not just and I guess God wanted Arsenal to go through."

Yep, I guess he did!

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!

Italians Chase Bobby

According to Super Rob, Serie A teams Roma and Fiorentina have entered the race for his signature...


"I could stay at Arsenal or leave, anything can happen," Bobby told Sky Italia.

"But my future could be in Italy too. There has been contact with Roma and also Fiorentina."

"But for the moment I think only of winning the Champions League with Arsenal."

I don't care what anyone says, I want Pires to stay. He has been brilliant for us over the years and can still perform at the highest level.

AW: "I Believe We Can Do It."

Despite last night's below par performance Le Boss believes (quite rightly) that we can go on to win the Chamions League in Paris next month...

"We have knocked out Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal and we have every right to believe we can win the final." said Wenger

"We will go into the final and I believe we will see a different Arsenal, we will have recovered physically and we have everything to win. I believe we can do it."

"There was a big doubt about Arsenal in Europe for years, even when we were dominating in the championship. That is why I am very happy that finally we have got there when nobody expected us to and with a side who they said had no chance at the start."

So, the question that is on EVERYONE'S lips....who would you rather face in the final?

AC Milan or Barcelona?

Jose Wants Barca

JAR is hoping that we will meet Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League final. Barca play AC Milan tonight at the Nou Camp and are favouites to qualify.

Here's what Jose said...

"Being Spanish, I would prefer to meet Barcelona in the final," said JAR. "It would be a great European final and a big challenge for us."

You can say that again, Jose!

Paris Here We Come!

FUCK ME! I don't remember seeing such a woeful performance by the boys for a long time. BUT, who cares?!? WE'RE IN THE FINAL OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!

Not a very eventful game - until the 88th minute when the softest of penalties was awarded to Villarreal. Up steps Riquelme, my heart was in my mouth...I could not believe what had just happened.

He shoots - Lehmann saves!

Me, my dad and two of my mates go beserk!

By the time the final whistle blew we were all exhausted. I can't really put into words how happy I am! Anyway, here's what Le Boss had to say post match...

"It looked like a generous penalty decision but then I said to myself that if it is our year, Jens will save it.

"I knew he had strength of character, and I knew he would not be beaten easily and there was a lot of pressure on Riquelme and fatigue.

"I felt he just wanted to hit the target and not put it in a corner because he was scared to miss.

"It comes down to psychological reason and Jens guessed right.

Overall it was more of a poker game than good training."

"I am pleased because when a guy shows professionalism and a winning attitude, you always want him to be rewarded.

"When I think where he started when he came to England, and the steps he has made since, he deserved a lot of credit."

Super Rob: "...We're In For A Difficult Night"

Bob believes that Villarreal will have to change their gameplan from the one adopted at Highbury if they are to get a result tonight...

"We're in front, which means Villarreal will be forced to come out a little bit more," he said.

"In the first leg, they didn't take any chances, closed down the space in midfield and didn't really try to threaten us," he continued. "They didn't offer very much in attack but will have to play differently (at El Madrigal).

"If we'd got a second goal, obviously it would have made our lives much easier and given us a cushion, but as it is, we're in for a difficult night.

"In the first leg they closed us down quickly, but they'll have to be more adventurous in the second."

This is my last post before going home. So good luck to the boys tonight and enjoy the game Gooners....

COME ON ARSENAL!

Wrighty: "It's Vitally Important To Keep Thierry"

Ian Wright has stated that TH14 deserves to move to Spain if thats what he wants. However, Wrighty is hoping that Titi will not move to Barca and opt to finish his career at Arsenal.

"It's vitally important to keep Thierry." said Wrighty.

"But if we win the Champions League you can't blame him if he wants to leave.

"He's won every major honour with Arsenal and if he wants to join a club of Barcelona's stature you really can't stand in his way.

"If he wants to bring in the new stadium and finish his career at Arsenal then fine.

"But people should just be happy that he's done what he's done for the club.

"The players are doing great but do you honestly feel they would be in this position without Thierry?

"He lifts the team on his own and the club needs him.

"But everyone's got to realise he shouldn't be placed under the kind of pressure he is currently under to make a decision."

Pellegrini Tries His Hand At Mind Games

Villarreal boss Marcel Pellegrini has called Le Boss a 'hypocrite' following his comments about the scum on Saturday.

Pellegrini said: "I don't think it's right Arsenal players don't stop playing so an opponent can be treated - and then Wenger moans when his players are down and the match continues."

However, AW was quick to counter by saying: "Everyone saw what happened last week and I don't think we did anything wrong. I think we were very fair in our behaviour - just like we were on Saturday.

"What can we do if the other team is falling over all the time? We can only be responsible for our own behaviour and when something is not right we have to stand up and say something."

Le Boss Keeping Cool

Despite doing his bollocks on Saturday, AW insists he is quite relaxed ahead of tonight's game...

"I feel quite relaxed contrary to the impression I gave on Saturday because I believe my team is up for it." said the Gaffer.

"I trust this team completely and what happened was nothing to do with the pressure of getting results.

"We have it all to go for because three months ago nobody would have dreamed we would be where we are and that's why I take it in a very positive way."

Thats That Then

Blogger.com wouldn't let me publish anything yesterday for some reason! They must've had a gremlin in the works! Anyhow, here's my post from yesterday...

So the last ever North London derby at Highbury ended in a 1-1 draw. However, it wasn’t without controversy mind you …well, what did you expect?!?

We all know what happened/didn’t happen so I’m not gonna harp on and on about it. One thing I will say is that after the team was announced it became blatantly obvious where AW’s priorities lie this season.

Rumours of a tear up in the tunnel between Le Boss and Edgar ‘the Hobbit’ Davids have been denied by the old bill. A MET spokesperson said;

"As is always the case, police are in the tunnel area at the end of every game. But no officer was involved or witnessed any altercation between Mr Wenger and Mr Davids,"

So there you go!

Big Phil Senderos is a doubt for tomorrow night’s crucial game against Villarreal after suffering a knee injury on Saturday. This may result in Sol returning to the starting line-up.

Gilberto is apparently bang up for tomorrows game and Spain and has been speaking to Skysports.com…

"We know it will be harder than the first one as they will play at home in front of their own supporters," Gilberto told Sky Sports News.

"We will see that their supporters will support them all the time, but the first result was very important for us.

"The victory for us gives us an advantage. It is not a big advantage, but if we keep our shape in the same way and play and do something then we have the chance to go to the final."

On to today's news...

Le Boss has praised the boys at the back for their (so far) immaculate defensive record...

AW said: "Our defensive record is a bit of a surprise to me but I'm happy we have it because it is something that can give the team confidence."

"We know we are solid defensively and every inch of confidence you can get before a game like this is important."

"We have shown character against Juventus and Real Madrid and we need it again.

"It will be a more intimidating atmosphere because it is a small stadium and therefore I feel the heat will be higher.

"They will play the same way but will be less timid and (Argentinian playmaker Juan Roman) Riquelme will be more influential. He shows more personality, character and decisiveness at home.

"We must play to win the game. I don't think they will score three. Let's try and score and that will be a big blow to them.

"You cannot go into a game 1-0 up thinking you can just rely on that."

WAR CRY!

TH14 is expecting a firey encounter against the scum at Highbury tomorrow. Speaking to French sports daily L'Equipe today, the skipper had this to say...

"It will be war at Highbury. An Arsenal v Tottenham match is a London derby, it's traditionally one of the more important games of the season.

"This time, the match will be even more important. Fourth place and qualification for next season's Champions League are at stake. We must win."

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

No Complaints

Freddie has stated that the boys have no complaints regarding our super congested fixture list...

He said: 'Maybe not having a derby would have been easier but that's the way it is and we are not complaining about the fixtures, we are just getting on with it.

'You can always see the positive and negatives and so long as we don't get any injuries we will be happy.

'It was important for us getting a result against Villarreal though so we are going in on the up and feeling happy with our form.'

Kolo: "...We Are Learning From Game to Game."

Kolo has revealed that the motivation behind our new back line is our famous back four of yesteryear. With Tony Adams and Martin Keown having an especially strong influence...

Kolo said; "I think that Tony Adams and those players a few years ago were fantastic,"

"I saw him here and I have learned a few things from him, particularly the way he led the team. I remember how he used to talk to everybody at the training ground, all the players. He tried to help the young lads and he helped me lots. Martin Keown is still at the training ground every day. After games, he will tell me what I did well and what I didn't do well.

"We are really young and we are learning from game to game. That is the most important thing. We're a young team and the way we play is fantastic. We defend really well all together and I think that's why we are doing so well. I'm the oldest but all the players are working very hard. That's good for the team and we are all determined to keep this run going."

You've got to agree that our 'makeshift' defence has been outstanding. Now this has probably been asked before, but if ALL of our defenders were available who would be your first choice back four?

Injury Update

Le Boss has confirmed that Big Sol and Ash will not feature against the scum this weekend...Gael is also a little way off making a start for the first team.

"Sol is not back for Saturday but he should be involved for Tuesday," Wenger told Arsenal.com.

"Frankly it is a bit early [to decide on rotation].

"I need a little bit more time to decide that but I will do it. We want to beat Tottenham and find the best way to make it to the Champions League Final.

"I need to think about the best way to achieve that.

"Gael Clichy looks ready but I don't know how much he is free pain-wise in his foot.

"Ashley looks completely free pain-wise but looks to be behind Gael fitness-wise. Let's give him two more weeks before he is completely ready to play."

Don't Panic!!!

Ian Wright Wright Wright has urged the boys to keep cool when we visit El Madrigal next Tuesday and reckons if we do, we should have no problem reaching the final.

Here's what the legend had to say...

"Arsenal are more than capable of scoring over there but it will be a tense night.

"It's going to be a very hard game but I'm confident that if the boys can hold their nerve they will come out on top."

"Villarreal kind of stifled Arsenal a bit. They defended really well and have to be congratulated on playing a game of that magnitude," he said.

"The Spaniards will fancy their chances but Arsenal surely won't play like that again. The most important thing is that they didn't concede a goal and I would back them to nick one over there.

"If Thierry Henry's goal had been given it would have made things a bit more comfortable. The linesman wasn't keeping up with play and that is something that needs looking at.

"I know it's not easy to stay with someone like Henry but the fact of the matter is the official was giving decisions when he had caught up with play. By that time, of course, Thierry was two yards off.

"On the other hand, Villarreal were unlucky not to have been given a penalty so I suppose you can say these things balance themselves out."

"It was obvious the Villarreal players had been told to put in a disciplined performance and, to a certain extent, Riquelme was on a leash," he said.

"He broke a couple of times but you could see he had one eye on the second leg at the Madrigal, when he will be given more freedom to do what he does.

"Gilberto did a very good job on him but I think that was partly because of the fact Riquelme was playing within himself.

"I just hope Arsenal are more confident when they go over to Spain and don't crack under the pressure. It's a very tight ground and it will be an unbelievable atmosphere but I think the boys will do enough to get through."

Super Rob to Join Yellow Submarine?

Bobby has confirmed that our Champions League opponents Villarreal are trying to sign him on a two year contract...

'Villarreal want me for the next two seasons,' he is quoted as saying in Spanish sports paper AS after our 1-0 victory in the first leg at Highbury.

'The most important thing at the moment is for me to help Arsenal get into the final. After that if I have to talk to the people from Villarreal I will.'

What are your views on this? I personally think Bobby has been a GREAT player for us over the years. Admittedly he is now past his best, but he still has the ability to perform at the highest level. I would like him to finish his career at Arsenal.

Nearly There

A win, a clean sheet, a goal from Kolo - can't complain! I do feel however that Villarreal were the happier team at the end of the match.

The game next Tuesday in Spain will be a different affair I feel - Villarreal will HAVE to attack, which should suit us down to the ground...we can hit them on the break and if we score first - game over in my opinion.

Le Boss was content with the performance, here's what the great man said...

"It was a tense game where we could have got one more goal.

"We were in a difficult situation once we were 1-0 up between keeping a clean sheet and going forwards. We did not really find our flow in the second half.

"I feel we paid a bit the price physically for playing many games.

"We lost a bit of sharpness which made us so dangerous when we won the ball in the other games.

"We could maybe have scored one more. You want always to give everything to everybody, but it is not always predictable.

"You cannot do it on command, even us.

"I always say you always need two good games if you want to go through. We have another one in front of us.

"We want to go there to try to score goals and play our game."

Next up: THE SCUM!

Henry: Do Not Underestimate Villareal

The Skipper has warned the boys not to go into the game feeling complacent, even though Villareal do not have the same rep as Real Madrid or Juve...

"Villarreal in one season has already done more than us, or the same, as we meet them in the semi-final. People talk all the time about names and teams, but this season Villarreal is a very good team who are doing well.

"It's the first time either team has reached the semi-final. People talk about Real Madrid because of their great history, but you cannot take away what Villarreal have done in the Champions League. We're not assuming anything."

The nerves are starting to kick in a little now...tonight's final European game at Highbury is a HUGE one!!!

Do you think Le Boss will play our standard 4-4-2 or the (so far) more successul 4-5-1, if he does play the 4-5-1 formation, who will play across the middle? Reyes is suspended don't forget...so who? I would play Bobby, Gibba, Cesc, Freddie and Alex with Diaby on the bench...what do you think?

TH14 "...You Can See The Desire..."

Speaking ahead of tonight's semi-final against Villareal, TH14 has urged the boys not to fuck up..!

He said: "Getting to the semi-finals is a bit of history for this club but it's not the kind of history we want to settle for.

"I know for the fans and the club it's a bit special to be in the last four for the first time but when people look at your career it doesn't ever say 'Champions League semifinalists'.

"From the first time I played in the competition I wanted to win it. But it's a fact that it is the big thing missing from my CV, and also from Arsenal's. I had years when we thought it would be our season and it didn't happen.

"Then this season, when we went into it game by game because we weren't playing well in the league, suddenly we've found ourselves in the semi-finals.

"The only two players we've had here who have won it before were Kanu and Marc Overmars. None of the rest of us have done it. Whenever you're not there in the final you feel you are missing something.

"But you can see the desire and the togetherness in this team and we all have that sense of anger."

Wenger: "...Villareal Is a 50-50 Game..."

Arsene is refusing to underestimate Villareal ahead of Wednesday night's first leg semi final...

"I must say that for me Villarreal is a 50-50 game," Le Boss told Arsenal.com.

"Against Barcelona or Milan it would be in a situation where we would have a little less pressure, mental pressure but because we knocked out Juventus and Real Madrid people think we are a little favourites.

"Yet for me the semi-finals of a football game is where every detail has to be on your side and that's what will happen against Villarreal.

"I have not studied too much about them but I believe they are a team that looks very sound defensively as a unit and it will be very important for us to create goal chances.

"We have character. I feel there was a massive pressure before the second game against Real Madrid because they came here as a team, highly-motivated.

"Then we went to Juventus and it was a huge pressure because you can only lose it as you have already qualified in the mind of people. Yet the players were completely fine. That is why I am confident as I know my team has character."

One worry is that young Cesc is apparently struggling to recover from a bruised foot. I hope to God he is fit in time!!!

Torres to Sign?

Reports in Spain suggest that Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres is ready to snub Sperz in favour of a move to Arsenal.

We have been linked with him previously and apparently Le Boss apparently feels that he would make the perfect strike partner for TH14. (If he's still with us!)

JAR rates his compatriot quite highly aswell...

"Torres is already one of the best strikers in the world and when Arsene Wenger asked me about him I said he would be a great player for Arsenal.

"He is very important to Atletico and for Spain and would have no problems adapting to England. I would be delighted if he joins Arsenal."

The question is - do we need another striker? Or is Wenger planning Titi's replacement?

AW: "It Is Not Over"

Not happy. Last night was a WASTE of two very valuable points. How costly will Adebayor's misses turn out to be?

In spite of the shit(ish) performance Le Boss insists all is not lost...

"It is not over. We have to keep going and be positive." he said

"It is a point, but a disappointing point considering the chances we had.

"We want to make the maximum out of our games, let's win on Saturday and then maybe it will be in our hands again."

AW added: "Overall I feel sorry for the team. You cannot fault them for effort, or desire.

"The players are disappointed because they are not rewarded for the efforts they put in, and for what they rightly feel they deserved.

"P*rtsmouth made a minimum risk and got maximum out of it. We did maximum risk and got minimum out of it.

"There were a lot of positives from the match, but the negative is that we should have won the game by five, and in the end we finish 1-1."

Le Boss: “Alex Is Not the Player We Bought”

Mornin' Gooners and Goonettes...not a great deal happening today, eh? I guess more news will filter through as we get closer to tomorrow night's must win game against P*mpey.

In the mean time Le Boss has 'bigged up' our Belarussian wide man Al. Here's what AW said...

“Alex is not the player we bought,” said The Gaffer. “He is stronger and better.

“It was tough for him at the start. [But] I like to have a guy on the wing who can dribble. There are not many now.

"He gives us that creativity with the final ball and the unexpected pass. He can create a partnership with the full back, gain time and wait for one who comes from deep. It means there is the opportunity to play inside and also wide.”

Le Boss: We Were Knackered!

AW has blamed fatigue for our 2-0 loss to ManUre yesterday...

The gaffer admitted: "We have paid the price for our European success with a fixture pile-up in the league and this has been a factor.

"We had chances in the first half, but United were physically sharper than us and deserved to win it.

"Our team is jaded and that diminishes our chances of qualifying for the Champions League through finishing in the top four.

"We have lost at Old Trafford before with Henry in the team and we did not concede a goal because he was on the bench.

"At 1-0 down we missed two great chances - one for Robin van Persie and one for Emmanuel Adebayor. Their second goal on the break killed the game."

Arruabarrena: "Arsenal Have Played the Best Football..."

Villareal defender Rodolfo Arruabarrena has spoken out ahead of our clash with the 'Yellow Submarine'...

"They have a lot of young players. That might mean the pressure could affect them.

"However, together with Barcelona, Arsenal have played the best football in this season's Champions League.

"They are a team that love playing with the ball at their feet and the whole team, not just Thierry Henry, play quick and precise football.

TOO RIGHT WE DO!

Cesc: "There's No Stopping Us Now..."

Cesc is sure that we are on our way to Paris for the Champions League final on May 17th...even though we still have Villareal to dispose of!

"Of course, we will be in Paris," he said. "We've eliminated Ajax in the group stages, then Real Madrid and now Juventus.

"There's no stopping us now - we are capable of going all the way."

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!

Zlatan: Arsenal Are Capable of Beating Barca

One time Arsenal target, Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes we've got what it takes to go all the way and win the Champions League...

"Arsenal are the team of the moment," he said.

"They are capable of going all the way, even of beating Barcelona."

Gibba: "This Is Not the Time to Relax."

Gilberto insists that there is still a hell of a lot to do if we are serious about winning the Chamions League...

“I am very happy — for ourselves, the team and the Club,” he said. “These are important moments for everybody but it is not enough. This is a competition we really want to win.

“This is one step more we have walked tonight but we still have a lot more to do in the Champions League this year.

“This is not the time to relax. We need to look forward and be concentrated to achieve something more.”

Sol Man Happy to Wait

Big Sol has told Le Boss that he is ready to return to action. However, due to the emergence of our new, young, fearless defence he accepts that he may have to wait a while...

"When the manager picks me and wants me to play, I'm ready," said Sol.

"It's all there now, so I'm just waiting for my chance.

"I want to get a few games under my belt, so we'll have to see what happens for the rest of the season.

"I'm physically fit and the sharpness should be okay with a couple of games.

"I'm looking forward to it and the side is playing fantastically, so I'll have to wait for my time."

Cesc Bigs Up Wenger

Cesc has thanked AW for allowing him to play against Juve, as we know he is still only 18 but he is playing with the compusure and maturity of someone far beyond his years. Here's what the little matador had to say...

“The team deserve a lot of credit,” he said after the game. “Nobody expected us to do this, that is true, but now we have shown those people to be wrong.

“At a big club like Arsenal with a big manager, it is always difficult to believe in young players. But he did and we have to thank him for what he is giving us.

“It is not easy when you want to win things and you start to build a team with the likes of me, Philippe [Senderos], Gael [Clichy] and Mathieu [Flamini]. He has done it and had confidence in us.

“We are really grateful to him because he is giving us the opportunity that we did not expect before.

“But we are in the Semi-Final and now we have to be professional. As well we must look forward to the game with M*nchester Un!ted [on Sunday] if we are gong to get that fourth place."

Le Boss: "...We Controlled the Game..."

Semi finals here we come!!! For the first time ever we're there! Last night's game was pretty much as I expected - although I do think we were unlucky not to score. But hey, who cares?!?

Here's what a certain Mr Wenger had to say post match...

"I thought overall we controlled the game very well and, even though subconsciously there was a desire to protect our lead when I would have wanted us to play a bit more, we did the right thing.

"We didn't concede in the first 20 minutes and the final turning point was when Jens Lehmann saved from Pavel Nedved. When Nedved was sent off the game was already over. I am happy for the club that we have achieved this.

"I felt people were beginning to see me as the handicap to reaching the semi-finals and I am relieved that is now not the case.

"We have been expected to get to this stage in the past and there were times when it might have been easier but now we have beaten Real Madrid and Juventus to do it."

So now we face Villareal - who, let's face it, like us were not expected to be in the competition at this stage. Le Boss has been doing his homework on them and does not expect an easy tie...here's what he said...

"I watched the game against Inter and they're a very good team who have an outstanding player in Riquelme. He can punish you from set pieces with a final ball but he also has great charisma.

"Also Diego Forlan and Jose Mari are good players up front. Technically they are very good and have two or three outstanding players.

"'We have two teams in the semi-final who were not expected to be there this season and for that reason for me it's 50-50 who wins."

Come On You Gunners!

Only a quickie from me today - been in and out of meetings since 7:30 this morning!!!

NOT HAPPY!

Just wanna wish the boys all the best against Juve this evening, and touch wood we'll be meeting Villareal in the semi's very soon.

ENJOY THE GAME GOONERS!!!

Gotta fly into another meeting now - be nice if you guys could post some opinion/predictions/ starting lineups etc for me to read when I come out!

UP THE GUNNERS!!!

Good News

Story copied stright from Arsenal.com!

Cesc Fabregas is set to play against Juventus on Wednesday night and Emmanuel Eboue could also be in Arsenal's starting line-up for the Quarter-Final second leg in Turin.

Both players were substituted after picking up injuries during Arsenal's 5-0 win against Aston V!lla on Saturday. Fabregas is closer to full fitness after shrugging off a foot problem while Eboue is set for a late fitness test on his groin injury.

Arsène Wenger confirmed the good news before Arsenal's squad left for Italy on Tuesday. "Fabregas looks good and Eboue will have a final test tomorrow because we didn't want to take a chance," he said.

"Eboue will be a 30 per cent chance to start the game. He had a little test without the ball but he looks very positive."

The Arsenal manager also revealed that Sol Campbell is likely to start Wednesday night's game on the substitutes bench after recovering from a toe injury. Freddie Ljungberg is also back in the squad after a calf problem.

Juve's Squad for Tomorrow

Capello will choose from the following players tomorrow night...

1 Buffon
2 Birindelli
3 Chiellini
6 Kovac
7 Pessotto
8 Emerson
9 Ibrahimovic
11 Nedved
14 Balzaretti
17 Trezeguet
18 Mutu
19 Zambrotta
20 Blasi
21 Thuram
22 Bonnefoi
23 Giannichedda
24 Olivera
25 Zalayeta
28 Cannavaro
32 Abbiati

Tomorrow Night's Squad

Le Boss has announced the 19 man squad for tomorrow night's CL clash with Juve...it is as follows;

Jens LEHMANN (GK)
Abou DIABY
Robert PIRES
Fredrik LJUNGBERG
Jose Antonio REYES
Robin VAN PERSIE
Alexander HLEB
Thierry HENRY
Francesc FABREGAS
Mathieu FLAMINI
Alexandre SONG
GILBERTO
Philippe SENDEROS
Sol CAMPBELL
Manuel ALMUNIA (GK)
Emmanuel EBOUE
Kolo TOURE
Theo WALCOTT
Johan DJOUROU

Also, Del Piero has been ruled out tomorrow night after failing to recover from a thigh injury. GOOD!!!

Gibba: "We Can Play Hard..."

Gilberto has spoken out ahead of tomorrow nights showdown in Turin...and insists we will not be bullied.

“People say Juve might get physical and try to bully us but Arsenal have already proved that we don’t bottle away from challenges against angry faces.

“We can play hard if it’s necessary — and we will, while trying to impose the quality of our game.”

Let's hope there's another 'Italian Job' on the cards! Remember the San Siro...?!?

Edelman: "We All Want Thierry to Stay..."

The MD Keith Edelman reckons that (dare I say it!) winning the Champions League would convince TH14 to stay with us...

“I think that would help. We all want Thierry to stay at Arsenal Football Club.

“We’ve made him a very good offer, we’d love him to stay and we hope he’ll make that decision before the end of the season.

“I think it’s over 50 per cent probability he will stay with us because we’ve got a new stadium to go to and we’ve got a great group of youngsters who show we’re a team for the future.

“I think Arsene has developed another great team and you’re seeing it develop in front of your eyes.

“When you watch that and play with that it’s very exciting. I think he will stay.”

Le Boss: "We Have to Attack..."

Mornin' Gooners and Goonettes! No posts yesterday - I was at work but I was feeling ROUGH!!! Going out on a Sunday bender is never a good idea!

Anyway....

The Gaffer has warned the boys not to underestimate Juve ahead of tomorrow nights clash in Turin...

"The players are not stupid, they are intelligent boys," said AW

"They know we have to make sure of the small things on our side - the focus, defence, helping each other out, concentrating for 90 minutes."

AW added: "We have to attack and try to win the game. We cannot just defend.

"We will try to defend well, of course, but we have to fix our targets to play well and try to win."


TH14 also warned that Juventus will be a different animal when we face them on their own turf...

"It is good to go to Turin on the back of a result like that [against Villa] - but the Champions League is another competition, and we will see how we do tomorrow,"

"Football can always reserve you some surprises - and you always have to stay cool and calm."

Titi added: "Juventus at home are a completely different proposition to the team we played at Highbury.

"They will do everything to make it as difficult as possible for us, and our players need to know that."

"This will be the most difficult game of our Champions League campaign this season,"

"What we have done so far will be irrelevant if we do not reach the semi-finals.

"But our greatest motivation is that we know that everything is possible if we play as we did in the home game.

"It was a victory for togetherness, a great example of 11 players becoming a team."