Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb

[Whitechapel]

European match day chat.

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

3-1 Arsenal

 

[Whitechapel]

3-1 Arsenal

Now Zagreb aren't on performance enhancing drugs we might stand a chance right?

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

Imagine resting players thinking that you're out, and UEFA end up docking them three points

 

[Whitechapel]

Imagine resting players thinking that you're out, and UEFA end up docking them three points

Our squad will look like a 'rested one' as there are so many players injured. It's worrying as it's very unlike Arsenal to get any injuries during a season.

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

Have most Arsenals fans given up on making the second round?

If so, would you rather finish bottom than have to play in the Europa?

 

[Whitechapel]

Have most Arsenals fans given up on making the second round?

If so, would you rather finish bottom than have to play in the Europa?

I'm Pagnell (on the fence). If we go into the Europa League it's Wengers only chance of winning a European trophy, even though it's a European B league trophy. I'd hope we could play a young team without risking our big guns until the later stages.

Though going out would massively help our league campaign and lessen our chances of picking up more injuries.

If I were to sway one way or t'other, I'd pick going out...though most likely we'll finish 3rd in our current group.

 

[Whitechapel]

Added a poll.

 

[smat]

We can still go through so might as well go for it. No way should we be having any problems with this game (though you'd have said that about the game in Zagreb... And at home to Olympiakos...)

 

[Stevencc]

Assuming Bayern beat Olympiakos tonight, which they almost certainly will, and Arsenal beat Zagreb (as they should at home) then Arsenal only need to beat Olympiakos in the final fixture and have a +5 swing in goal difference along the way, right?

It's not all doom and gloom, lads.

 

[Whitechapel]

Basically...

• Arsenal win and a Bayern win= Good
• Arsenal win, Bayern fails to win=Bad
• Arsenal lose and Bayern wins= Bad
• Arsenal lose and Bayern fails=Good

 

[Mustard]

Assuming Bayern beat Olympiakos tonight, which they almost certainly will, and Arsenal beat Zagreb (as they should at home) then Arsenal only need to beat Olympiakos in the final fixture and have a +5 swing in goal difference along the way, right?

It's not all doom and gloom, lads.

Pretty sure it comes down to head to head goal difference, so we'd have to win by 2 clear goals in Greece to go through.

 

[Stevencc]

Pretty sure it comes down to head to head goal difference, so we'd have to win by 2 clear goals in Greece to go through.

That complicates things a little, but I can still see Arsenal doing it if they go into that final match in good form and with few injuries.

 

[smat]

Winning by two in Greece wouldn't be easy at all, but it's definitely doable. Have we ever won there though?

 

[Mustard]

Can't remember of the top of my head, but I seem to remember playing a weakened team against them a few times. Olympiakos away always seems to be our last group stage fixture.

 

[Whitechapel]

Bayern 1-0 up.

 

[Stevencc]

I'm surprised at the amount of empty seats in the ground tonight, it's not like this is a meaningless game.

 

[Stevencc]

Excellent move and goal.

 

[Whitechapel]

I löve that man.

 

[Stevencc]

Zagreb shot themselves in the foot there.

Good pressure from Flamini though and a nice finish from Sanchez.