NationStates Jolt Archive

Nine teams left in the Champions League (Inter vs Ajax finishes next week).
There were some shocks in the last round - who would have predicted Liverpool losing to Benfica, or Arsenal beating Real Madrid?
The draw for the quarter-finals is on Friday. So, now teams are unseeded, and teams can play other teams from the same country, how will the quarter-finals go?
IMO, Arsenal will continue their form in Europe (unbeaten this season), Lyon will do the same off the back of a 4-0 thrashing of PSV, and AC Milan were always going to be doing well at this stage. Provided they don't play each other, I think it'll be Arsenal, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Juventus in the semis. Barcelona will beat anyone, as will Milan and Juve. Arsenal may need a favourable draw, although judging from their fantastic performances against Real Madrid, they may think they can do the same.
Opinions?

After destroying Real 0-0 last night, I can't see Arsenal not progressing to at least the semi-finals.

two things though...
1) If Thierry gets injured, then they're screwed
2) Real, although a good test, are no Barcelona

Having said the above, I don't think i've seen any team in europe that can touch Arsenal when they're in top form. Even Chelsea seem slow to get into games and only hit a consistently good spell in early to mid second half. Arsenal seem on it from the word go.

After destroying Real 0-0 last night, I can't see Arsenal not progressing to at least the semi-finals.

two things though...
1) If Thierry gets injured, then they're screwed
2) Real, although a good test, are no Barcelona

Having said the above, I don't think i've seen any team in europe that can touch Arsenal when they're in top form. Even Chelsea seem slow to get into games and only hit a consistently good spell in early to mid second half. Arsenal seem on it from the word go.
Even as a biased Arsenal fan, I'm hoping we get Villareal, Ajax (unlikely), Inter, or Benfica. Ok, that's 4/8 (or 3/7) of the teams we could get, but I still reckon we'd have difficulty getting to the semi-finals. I'm inclined to think it may be Lyon's year this year.

Not a hope Arsey fans. As a staunch United fan, I was thoroughly depressed to see Arsenal ruin my evening my remaining in Europe, and, whilst wishing you well, if only fot he football you play, were you to draw Lyon, AC Milan, Juve or Barca, you would be slaughtered due to your midfield.

Personally, I can envisage a Barca-Juve/Lyon final at present.

Not a hope Arsey fans. As a staunch United fan, I was thoroughly depressed to see Arsenal ruin my evening my remaining in Europe, and, whilst wishing you well, if only fot he football you play, were you to draw Lyon, AC Milan, Juve or Barca, you would be slaughtered due to your midfield.

Personally, I can envisage a Barca-Juve/Lyon final at present.
I don't think the midfield is the weak point for Arsenal - the dodgy back four is the weak point. Flamini and Eboue at left and right back? A right-footed central midfielder and a centre back? Hopefully Cole will be back soon...don't know how long Lauren's out for.

Our midfield was fantastic against Real - Fabregas will be the best midfielder in the Premiership in five years time, and Silva put in two of the best performances I've seen from him in a Gunners' shirt. By having those two in front of the defence, then putting Hleb and Reyes in what was not an overly attacking role on the wings, we defended better than was expected, while giving Henry freedom to do what he does best - cause merry havoc in the opposition's defence.

I'd love to see Arsenal - Barcelona. Two of the best attacks in European football against two comparatively weak defences. So open, and so many goals. Although Arsenal would lose. :(

I don't think the midfield is the weak point for Arsenal - the dodgy back four is the weak point. Flamini and Eboue at left and right back? A right-footed central midfielder and a centre back? Hopefully Cole will be back soon...don't know how long Lauren's out for.

Our midfield was fantastic against Real - Fabregas will be the best midfielder in the Premiership in five years time, and Silva put in two of the best performances I've seen from him in a Gunners' shirt. By having those two in front of the defence, then putting Hleb and Reyes in what was not an overly attacking role on the wings, we defended better than was expected, while giving Henry freedom to do what he does best - cause merry havoc in the opposition's defence.

I'd love to see Arsenal - Barcelona. Two of the best attacks in European football against two comparatively weak defences. So open, and so many goals. Although Arsenal would lose. :(

Nonetheless, I doubt the midfield would cope against :

- Nedved, Emerson, Vieira and Camoranesi (Juve)

-Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka (Milan)

However, be thankful you dont have O'Shea and Fletcher as first choice:(

The winner of the trophee will be italian...

...for the easy reason that "Barça", "winners", and "Champions League", can't be used in a same phrase!

Nonetheless, I doubt the midfield would cope against :

- Nedved, Emerson, Vieira and Camoranesi (Juve)

-Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka (Milan)

However, be thankful you dont have O'Shea and Fletcher as first choice:(

You're right about O'shea and Fletcher, they wouldn't stand a chance!

I concede that the Juve midfield is way strong but.... actually I need to stop thinking about it, the more i look the more daunting the prospect seems :(

milan on the other hand don't ever seem to really get it on. They're solid as a brick wall, but don't seem to have any flair going forward (i'm possibly very wrong on this, but i can recall goals scored by all of the mentioned juve players but none by the milan ones)

ah well, fingers crossed, as someone else pointed out, we've got a 50/50 shot of getting an "easier" team, although it could be argued that at this stage of the competition no such thing exists.

I picked Barcelona.