Post by staggerstag on Apr 12, 2018 18:19:27 GMT
“We are in a position where I don’t think we are under threat of complacency. It is an important target for us to go as far as possible [in the competition]. Tuesday night [in Rome] may be a good warning for us but let us not go overboard as well. Yes, we have a big job to do but we are in a strong position and it is how we approach the game that will be vital.” So expoundeth Arsene Wenger ahead of this quarter final second leg, the first of which saw Ramsay and Lacazette combine to produce braces which gave his side a 4-1 advantage following a promising CSKA equalizer.
(Pies available in the nearby 'Bobby Dazzler' and 'Yorkshire' English boozers, and if whiskey is your bag head for 'O'Hara's Irish Bar' where they sell over 50 types of the stuff)
CSKA : Akinfeev, A. Berezutski, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski, Nababkin, Bistrovich, Kuchaev, Dzagoev, Golovin, Musa, Chalov.
Subs: Pomazun, Milanov, Vitinho, Shchennikov, Matcho, Zhamaletdinov, Khosonov.
AFC : Cech, Bellerin, Monreal, Mustafi, Koscielny, Elneny, Wilshere, Ramsey, Welbeck, Ozil, Lacazette.
Subs: Macey, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Holding, Chambers, Nketiah, Iwobi.
90 mins
CSKA 2/1
AFC 11/8
Draw 11/4
To qualify
CSKA 16/1
AFC 1/40
Preamble by Paul Doyle
(Pies available in the nearby 'Bobby Dazzler' and 'Yorkshire' English boozers, and if whiskey is your bag head for 'O'Hara's Irish Bar' where they sell over 50 types of the stuff)
CSKA : Akinfeev, A. Berezutski, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski, Nababkin, Bistrovich, Kuchaev, Dzagoev, Golovin, Musa, Chalov.
Subs: Pomazun, Milanov, Vitinho, Shchennikov, Matcho, Zhamaletdinov, Khosonov.
AFC : Cech, Bellerin, Monreal, Mustafi, Koscielny, Elneny, Wilshere, Ramsey, Welbeck, Ozil, Lacazette.
Subs: Macey, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Holding, Chambers, Nketiah, Iwobi.
90 mins
CSKA 2/1
AFC 11/8
Draw 11/4
To qualify
CSKA 16/1
AFC 1/40
Preamble by Paul Doyle
After what the Champions League has thrown up this week and, indeed, some of Arsenal’s away performances this season, who amongst us is willing to say that CSKA Moscow have no chance of turning this tie around? Arsène Wenger’s team lead 4-1 from the first leg so have one foot in their first European semi-final for nine years – but that does not mean they are incapable of tripping up.
Having said that, CSKA have not been particularly strong at home in Europe this season, already losing to Manchester United, Basel and Lyon. And Arsenal are the Europa’s League’s top scorers and were clearly superior in London last week: their defence wobbled at times but CSKA’s was far worse in the face of Arsenal’s rapid attacking. So, all things considered, CSKA actually have no chance of turning this tie around. You see if I’m wrong.
But even if the contest seems over, this match may be welcomed as an opportunity to improve Anglo-Russian relations in some small way at this time of high tension. Let’s hope everyone gets along nicely in and around the stadium today.
Having said that, CSKA have not been particularly strong at home in Europe this season, already losing to Manchester United, Basel and Lyon. And Arsenal are the Europa’s League’s top scorers and were clearly superior in London last week: their defence wobbled at times but CSKA’s was far worse in the face of Arsenal’s rapid attacking. So, all things considered, CSKA actually have no chance of turning this tie around. You see if I’m wrong.
But even if the contest seems over, this match may be welcomed as an opportunity to improve Anglo-Russian relations in some small way at this time of high tension. Let’s hope everyone gets along nicely in and around the stadium today.
