I’m sorry to all you optimistic Arsenal fans out there, but I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I read Mikel Arteta’s recent claim!
The 30-year-old Spaniard, who moved to Arsenal from Everton in a £10 million deal in the summer, believes the Gunners still have a shot at qualifying to the next phase of the Champions League despite being battered 4-0 by AC Milan last night.
The midfielder was quoted on talkSPORT.com today saying:
‘Never say never in football.’
He added:
‘If we score two goals in the first half at the Emirates then it is game on. After last night, it will be very difficult to get through and we all know that.’
Sorry Mikel, but the only thing we will be playing for in three weeks time at the Emirates is pride, nothing else.
I commend Arteta’s attitude and fighting spirit because that’s what we need at this time, but a four goal lead is just too big a gap to close against one of the biggest clubs in Europe who acquire one of the best back four in the world. In addition to scoring the goals, we have to make sure we don’t concede any as well, which looks highly unlikely given the potent attack the Rossoneri possess.
Even Arsene Wenger reckons we’re out of the competition, claiming we have about a two to five percent chance of progressing to the next round:
‘Let’s be realistic, we don’t play in dream world, maybe there is a two percent or five percent chance statistically, realistically we are out of this competition.’
From a realistic Gooner, let’s just concentrate on the FA Cup and securing fourth spot because the Champions League is well out of our reach!
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yeah right. we’ll win and keep a clean sheet in the process.
it was a sensible comment. if we score two goals in the first half then its game-on. but overall its unlikely.
yep. sensible comment. why is this webpade even here?
Sensible one, but a crazy one considering last nights display
The statement is straight out of Wenger’s fairy tale book, we were a disgrace, no heart, no balls, no skill all this is down to the dictator Wenger, he blames every one and everything but never admits it’s his tea, his policy, his signings, his tactics, he should be ashamed of himself and do the decent thing and fall on his sword
You are very appropriately named !! Get a dictionary and learn the meaning of the word supporter.
Yes Mikel… If Cesc and jack were playing instead of you we might just have a chance!!! This team does not deserve to be in this competition. What is the point of even finishing fourth? Money to pay shit players wages? Then were better of out of it so they can all just leave. They should be ashamed of themselves, but are they? 60 – 80k a WEEK they earn!! Worse than the Bankers.
I do agree with you that it’s almost over for us. Milan is a big club with such experience at this stage and it will be really rally difficult for AFC to come back and score more than MIlan. But do you know that in the late seventies, in the same tournament then known as the European club champion
Cup, St Etienne of France lost 1st leg by 4-0 against Hadjuk Split of Yugoslavia ( a very good team in this era) but St Etienne scored 4 in the 90 minutes and one more during extra time to qualify for the next round, I know Hadjuk is not Milan and once again I reckon it will be hard, but as fans we have to believe.
Here here, I agree. There is a chance, a very slim one, but still a chance that it can be done so why not go for it.
Who would have thought Lyon would overturn a 7 goal deficit on goal difference in their last game but they did. Anything is possible in football.
Mission impossible. I think that we will struggle for any kind of victory over Milan
It can be done!!! Why not? We beat Barcalona at home, why not beat Milan 4-0 and get them on penalties? Abiatti is rubbish from the spot hahaha fuck it why not?
arteta said that just to please fans, delusion of the highest order. and yes its true this is another story from wenger’s fairytales. we not gonna do an st. etienne here.
A shitty Midtable Newcastle scored 4 on is is 45…why can’t we in 90??? We’ve seen Man U come back on Chelsea is 35…weve done it ourselves, remember 5-1 at Inter??? Why do we give up so easily? This is when the club needs fans like you to push them. It might be hard mentally on the team to set such a high goal but why be pussies and give up??? Screw this loser mentality, the fans are the biggest part of Arsenal mediocrity
Well wer’re not playing against a shit team are we? we’re playing Milan, who sit on top of the Italian league and boasts, in my opinion, the best defence in the world. I agree we shouldn’t give up, but we shouldn’t expect miracles, not if we play like we did! Let’s wake up and be realistic about this
Look don’t read too much into this comment from Arteta. As usual the media were asking the question so he HAS to respond with an answer like this or everyone would have a go because the team are showing no optimism and may-as-well not even turn up for the second leg !!!!! Chill the f*ck out everyone !