Champions League Round of 16 (14th Feb - 15th Mar)

Robertd0803

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Isn't that pretty obvious? Because they only got to where they are today because they strike the lottery, just like City and Chelsea.
Ah yeah while that doesn't help it goes back further than that for some reason, I remember my brother having a PSG jersey a good few years back and wondering why, never had any mass on them as a team.

Didn't Lucho just win the Treble two years ago, and the League and Copa del Rey last year? And you want him out if he wins nothing this year?
A few rumours/whispers that he has lost or is losing the dressing room though, and that's never a recipe for continued success. Also if Barcelona really require as much work as we all say/think then will Luis Enrique be trusted to do it?
 

giorno

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Didn't Lucho just win the Treble two years ago, and the League and Copa del Rey last year? And you want him out if he wins nothing this year?
Yes. And opposition fans want him to stay. He's a bang average coach who lucked into managing the best team in the world
 

Lyricist

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Benfica had like one chance and that's it. Dortmund was a lot better but without goals you can't win a game. Still see them going through if they use their chances at home more effectively.
I think now everything is possible. Dortmund can beat anyone on a good day but they're also well capable of ridiculous bottle jobs. The good thing is, they're usually at their best and show enormous spirit in the CL. Remember them almost coming back from a 3-0 away loss to Real. But I'm less than confident for the return leg.
 

Celestiale

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Haven't seen to much of Benfica this season, but taking yesterday's game against Dortmund, i don't want either of Lindelöf or Semedo in our team. Lindelöf was clearly the weaker CB of them, and Semedo was a mess defensively. Horrible positioning, had no clue what to do against Reus...long way to go to reach the level of Valencia
 

Sly

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Haven't seen to much of Benfica this season, but taking yesterday's game against Dortmund, i don't want either of Lindelöf or Semedo in our team. Lindelöf was clearly the weaker CB of them, and Semedo was a mess defensively. Horrible positioning, had no clue what to do against Reus...long way to go to reach the level of Valencia
Yes. Only Luisão and Ederson get some credit. Icredible how Benfica won the game. It wasn't a competent defensive performance like the result might show, it was pure luck by Benfica.
 

Celestiale

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Yes. Only Luisão and Ederson get some credit. Icredible how Benfica won the game. It wasn't a competent defensive performance like the result might show, it was pure luck by Benfica.
Yep, especially Luisao saved them more then once. It was pure luck indeed. Fejsa had a horrible game, almost cost them the game on multiple occasions - unbelievable that the manager didn't bring him off. Second leg will be interesting, given that Benfica really didn't show their best, and still won.
 

Sly

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I think now everything is possible. Dortmund can beat anyone on a good day but they're also well capable of ridiculous bottle jobs. The good thing is, they're usually at their best and show enormous spirit in the CL. Remember them almost coming back from a 3-0 away loss to Real. But I'm less than confident for the return leg.
I imagine how Dortmund fans must have felt. Aubameyang got the 1 score in the newspaper i buy (1 to 10 scale). I can't remember last time i saw the newspaper give that score (bar disastrous Keeper performances).
 

Sly

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Yep, especially Luisao saved them more then once. It was pure luck indeed. Fejsa had a horrible game, almost cost them the game on multiple occasions - unbelievable that the manager didn't bring him off. Second leg will be interesting, given that Benfica really didn't show their best, and still won.
He didn't replace Fejsa because he didn't have anyone else. Fejsa was very bad but tbf he is having a very good season. Might be the reason he kept him on.
 

fcbforever

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What's the suggested line-up?

I wouldn't be opposed to that.
Ox - Sanchez - Welbeck

Seriously, when has Welbeck last have 2 games after another which were even reasonably good?
I was under the impression he's a complete failure and waste of money at this point.

Also, this lineup doesn't really scream "goals". Özil is in terrible form, the other midfielders won't score and neither will the wingers.
It's basically Wengers way of saying "let's hope Sanchez get's through once and Costa and Robben won't completely dismantle our defense".
 

giorno

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Oh my god, Arsenal seem to be starting Welbeck tonight :lol:
What are they thinking?
Pace, strenght and grit. They're never not getting hammered if they try to outplay with attacking football you in germany
 

ThierryHenry

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Ox - Sanchez - Welbeck

Seriously, when has Welbeck last have 2 games after another which were even reasonably good?
I was under the impression he's a complete failure and waste of money at this point.

Also, this lineup doesn't really scream "goals". Özil is in terrible form, the other midfielders won't score and neither will the wingers.
It's basically Wengers way of saying "let's hope Sanchez get's through once and Costa and Robben won't completely dismantle our defense".
I'd prefer Ox continuing his recent good form in midfield, but happy enough with that. Giroud hinders our game too much at this level, and Theo is a great asset in form but a complete liability out of it. No complaints with both of those two on the bench.

And Welbeck has been the same player he was at United, just with a lot more injuries. Strong, fast, hard working and good technically, but without the movement or finishing to be a top level striker. Would have been a great squad option if he hadn't been injured for 70% of his time here.

My worry is if Özil plays at 10 and Coquelin starts then we'll be completely dominated in the midfield. My preferred line up would be:

Ospina

Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Monreal

Chamberlain Coquelin ElNeny/Xhaka

Welbeck Sanchez Özil/Iwobi

Either way I'm sure we'll lose. :(
 

Ecstatic

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Bayern - Arsenal will be a tight tie.

Arsenal can get his revenge IMO
 
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unitedforeveral

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Leicester really couldn't have asked for a better draw. I reckon they'll make it another round.
Have you watched Sevilla play this season? They will destroy Leicester and send them packing! Watch Steven N'zonzi (former stoke boy) and his magic unveil!
 

giorno

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Meh, i'd go with cech-bellerin-kos-mustafi-monreal-xhaka-elneny-coq(ramsey still injured right?)-alexis-welbeck-ox/walcott/ozil

Play a tight defensive game with a deep back line and try to break them on the counter. OR press them very high and try to blitz them. Either way, they need as much pace, physicality and energy as they can muster to avoid getting hammered
 

daveoliver91

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IMO, as few other users said, it's gonna be a really tight leg.
I see Arsenal getting something today from Germany (hope I am wrong)

It's gonna be a really game to watch, that's 4 sure.
 

LFC-Fans

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For some reason I see Arsenal getting something from this game
 

WhoDaGOAT

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Arsenal will score. I'm going for a 2-1 win for Bayern.

Playing Welbeck would be a smart choice. He's always been a big game player and will put in the necessary work.
 

Thisistheone

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Remember Welbeck trying to chip Neuer last time we played Bayern? :(

Better finishing needed tonight Danny.
 

Danillaco

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Rabiot was amazing, but how brilliant was Verratti? The guy was everywhere, so much ground covered, positioning and technique. Absolute marvelous to watch.

PSG was incredibly scary against the most toothless Barça since the end of the Riijkard era? Only Neymar tried something.
 

oneniltothearsenal

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Ox - Sanchez - Welbeck

Seriously, when has Welbeck last have 2 games after another which were even reasonably good?
I was under the impression he's a complete failure and waste of money at this point.

Also, this lineup doesn't really scream "goals". Özil is in terrible form, the other midfielders won't score and neither will the wingers.
It's basically Wengers way of saying "let's hope Sanchez get's through once and Costa and Robben won't completely dismantle our defense".
Makes sense. I saw what happened when RBL tried to play at you. In Munich tht is just recipe for disaster. welbeck sanchez and ox is close to what i would have considered optimal - welbeck-sanchez-perez
 

Peanut Butter

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The overestimation of his abilities on this forum is ridiculous.
Tbh, he either running around without any reason or invisible. That much is true.
It's because he played for Utd and we had high hopes for him being a local lad and all that.

In all honesty, he is bang average.
 

krazyrobus

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So I'm a retard because I don't share your view? :lol:

Bore off you muppet
No. You are a retard because calling Messi a bottom feeder in the face of so much data that he isn't is just mind-boggling. I won't waste time listing all his various records because you probably already know them and if you do but can't deduce the conclusion from them, then you're beyond help.
 

Amar__

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Oh my god, Arsenal seem to be starting Welbeck tonight :lol:
What are they thinking?
You make it sound like they are playing him instead of Messi. Apart from Sanchez, hardly anyone is impressive from their forwards.

And he is far better defensively than Özil, so that's probably one of the main reasons, they don't want to lose the tie after just one game.
 

serghei

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I have a feeling people are underrating Bayern this season. Arsenal have little chances imo.
 

Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87

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You make it sound like they are playing him instead of Messi. Apart from Sanchez, hardly anyone is impressive from their forwards.

And he is far better defensively than Özil, so that's probably one of the main reasons, they don't want to lose the tie after just one game.
That's it. We need to keep it tight, something not possible with Ozil.