As you would expect, Arsene Wenger has tried to boost his team’s confidence ahead of tomorrow night’s game with Monaco by talking up the possibility of an unlikely comeback.
As we know, it’s rare [see bottom of article] for a team to overturn a two goal deficit – especially away from home – but since the first leg at the Emirates on February 25th, the Gunners have won four in a row and there is definitely some momentum.
With a 3-0 win over West Ham at the weekend, the Arsenal manager is looking for a repeat of that scoreline which would see us qualify for the quarter-finals.
Admitting the first leg was a disaster, the Frenchman has backed his players to make things right on Tuesday.
“We got it wrong in the first game,” he told the official website. “What you want in life is the chance to put it right. We have the opportunity to put it right and after, no matter what, we will be ready to give everything to do it.
“We are in a position where today Monaco is favourite. We can go there and create something special. I believe that we will have the desire to do it and give absolutely everything to do it.
“I’d prefer to be 3-0 up but we have no choice. We have to put it right. Sometimes in life, you make a big mistake, and there’s no comeback, no way you get the chance to put it right again.
“In football, you can do it, so let’s just give everything to do it.”
Wenger was backed by Aaron Ramsey who said that the required scoreline was not an impossibility.
“We are more than capable of scoring three goals,” he said. “We scored three on Saturday and we believe in ourselves.
“So we’ll go into the game believing we can achieve that.”
What I like about this whole Monaco build-up is our attitude.
There’s not an Arsenal fan out there who doesn’t know it’ll be difficult-as-fuck to get the desired result, but we’re showing we have the belief to do just that.
That goes for the manager, the players, and even the fans.
I think it will be easier than history tells us
We have nothing to lose
we are a team with Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Cazorla –
We will win the game.
We may concede but who cares..
Monaco scoring that third actually broke the handbrake – 2-1 down and we have expectation.
1-3 down and we are dead and buried and i think we are great in this position = as milan and bayern – sure we fell short there but Monaco are not milan or bayern
Whats so different about this attitude?
Usually the whingers are out saying’ we’ll get stuffed by them and that they’re the worst team ever to be in the CL and all our players are crap but not as crap as the manager’ but this time they’re not. That’s what the difference is.
Nothing to lose, great attitude. Will be tough given their defence but if we play more solidly than last time we (Giroud by himself!) can score three.
I don’t think we should forget how many chances we created in that first game. If Giroud had his shooting boots on instead of his clown shoes, we could have easily been 3-0 up in the first half!
I’m going for a nervy 3-1, followed by a Ramsey winner in extra time.
100% correct. Our profligacy was nothing short of astonishing. We will give this a right shake; Welbz at the double.
We can definitely score 3, Giroud SHOULD have scored 3 alone in the first leg. However, this attitude “we can score 3 goals”, especially from Ramsey, is worrying to hear. I would much rather hear, “we can keep a clean sheet and then see what happens” …After all, there’s no point in us going out there and scoring 3, while letting in 3 at the other end. I know a lot of focus was on our missed chances in the first leg but we lost the match in our own half. 1 goal at home should at least guarantee you… Read more »
We’ve got to score 3 goals and you think about getting a clean sheet? What’s wrong with you, mate?
You saw what happened when we didn’t value the clean sheet in the first leg…
A clean sheet doesnt matter – i think we go out to score 6
Why not aim to score 15 then?
Against one of the best defences around 3 will be hard enough.
I dont think you go out to score a set figure – we are likely to concede so 3 wont be enough.
just throw caution to the wind – anything but say a 5-0 defeat is not worth worrying about
The first leg was painful enough, three goals against us on the break when we piled forward. Let’s not do the same.
We need some structure and solidity as a base to attack from (Coq, CBs and one fullback, with Ramsey being disciplined and arriving late sometimes in their penalty area). Which then frees up the attacking geniuses we do have.
If we concede less we have to score less to win.
Facts: Monaco haven’t conceded three at home since September 2011, and have only conceded one goal at home since the start of December.
Us getting three goals will be tough, any more close to a miracle. We have to avoid conceding if we can.
That’s against Ligue 1 attacks which with all due respect aren’t as good as ours. Forward. COYG!!
Its amazing you had to explain that from my comment above. Conceding a goal or more in this tie will cost us as we’ll not score 4. That’s penalties or worse…
CB, I don’t disagree with you about how tough it will be but in the unlikely event we do get 3 then we could well get more as they’ll have to attack to score (or they’ll be out).
Fact #1: When at his best, our Welsh Jesus can walk on water, and walking on water is more difficult than beating Monaco 3-0 at their place
Fact #2: The law of averages imply that after Giroud’s minus 50% ‘conversion ratio’ at The Emirates in the first leg, he is bound to enjoy an 150% conversion ratio at the Stade Louis II in the second leg
Fact #3: We kick arse when not under the pressure of heavy expectations (2-0 at Bayern; 3-0 at home against Milan)
The Early Goal is so damn Important.!!
One just before half time one at 80 minutes and on 95 – a thumping header from datguy on a as a sub for koscielny
Then you could be the Nepearly Gooner…….
Nah. It’s the final score that’s so damn important. That last minute, last gasp, final-kick-of-the-ball tie-winner that’ll make the memory purr longest.
I’ve a feeling we’re going to do it…..
Its not unrealistic.. 1 goal in the first half, and another by the 85th minute will cause monaco to panic….every chance of a third
It would be better to see them panic for an entire half.. 😉
I’d bet on Kosielny with another important goal
It’s amazing how our set pieces miraculously work out when we most need them to. We’ve scored a lot of important goals from set pieces, yet at times I wonder if we even practice them at all.
Yes we can. No point being negative. Stranger things have happened in football. For example; Burnley may still go down but they took 4 points from City (had to bring that in), coming back from 2 goals down at the Etihad!
The players must dare to believe and play without fear. If we get an early goal, things might get very interesting.
I for one have seen enough of Arsenal making the hard ‘stuff’ easy and the easy ones ‘hard’. Arsenal can score a goal in 1st half. we have scored alot of first half goals this year. I know this is purely a dream but Arsenal can score 2 goals in first half. maybe a penalty. maybe a free kick. maybe a mistake from monaco. all it takes is the first. Fanciful stuff right!?
There’s always a chance in a football match, but as much as I want us to go all out attack from the start, I think we have to be very smart in defending in this game, and the transition from defence to attack has to be lighting quick imo. From the performance in the weekend, either or both of Ramsey/Welbeck has to start. I would start Ramsey in midfield with Ozil pushing out on the right. Monaco will definitely play deep and try to keep possession and a very compact shape. If Ramsey can keep up his performance from the… Read more »
We need the constant pressing defence – maybe start with Coq, Ram and Flam, chasing around like blue arsed flys – covering the full backs and shielding the centre.
Then press attack with ozil, , giroud, cazorla
As they tire bring on rosicky, walcott/welbeck and sanchez for flam, mert and ram and run them ragged.
I hope the boss went to church again. Maybe he didn’t fulfil all the sacrifices asked! Like bring us a chunk of John Terry’s Butt! or Make Levy grow dreads….
I think he should have gone back to church before the first leg like he went before the draw. Anyway I hope it isn’t too late cause I went on his behalf
It’s going to be difficult, but time and again you see a team that only needs to avoid heavy defeat be dominated by the team that needs a heavy victory. In the end, the team defending the lead usually scrapes through, but it almost seems like more often than not the team that needs the big victory has a real shot at it. We had a real go at Bayern two years ago, Schalke had a go at Real, Napoli had a go at us two years ago, etc. I guess it’s a mental thing. Although in those cases, the… Read more »
Napoli was last year, of course.
We will create something special in monaco. We will do it. #COYG
This game suits Wenger: Its impossible, romantic and no point even taking a handbrake. All For One!
Come on you Gunners!
If our players do not resort to mind games diving or trying to get opposition sent off and remain positive, we can win this game with enough goals to progress. I am not concerned at all since this is not our way. We’re not Chelsea or Manure.
Monaco’s defense is solid, it will be difficult to score 3 goals, especially if they park the bus, it might be good to shoot from outside the box, like the OX did in the first leg, it might be one of the best ways to score against them, COYG!!
Yes…we can!!…The greatest come backs,I belIeve…COYG Let’s do It tomorrow nIght…