Join us in BLOCK 25 for Prague at Home

August 16, 2007 on 8:12 pm | In Arsenal FC | posted by Block19er |

After a great win last night against Sparta Prague in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Champions League Wenger was happy with the way Arsenal played in a physical game. Wenger went onto say “At one stage we were lucky as well because they hit the post but we needed to play with more purpose going forward and in the second half we did that a little more. That is why we were more dangerous going forward.”

I am really pleased that we took our chances last night, although it was not the best performance, but last season we had some great performances and did not convert our chances. Both of the goals came from Midfield which is also very encouraging.

Tomas Rosicky was keen to point out that we have not won the tie yet, Tomas told arsenal.com, “It was a great result for us but it is not done still There is a second game and Sparta will fight.”

For the second leg Block19 has been moved due to the number of season ticket holders now sitting there. We will be generating our atmosphere from BLOCK25. We welcome any Gooner who wants to contribute to the atmosphere to get in contact with us and help make the atmosphere at Ashburton Grove the best in the Country. Drop us an email to info@block19.com and join us for a great night.

The build up for Blackburn is beginning and Eduardo is inline for his first start according to arsenal.com Wenger told the website that Denilson will also be back but Eboue is struggling.

Before the match last night in an interview with Setanta Sport Wenger hinted he could sign his contract within days. I honestly think he will wait until we need a lift, if we lost a game, maybe that would be the best time to do it. It all seems positive from Wenger, he is the one person who must stay at Arsenal, nobody is bigger than the club but Wenger has re-designed the club and strengthened every part of the club. Changing the boss now would damage the current squad in a way that it would not recover, the team would have to be totally re-built for the new manager.

Blackburn were the first to deny reports that Arsenal were going to sign Morten Gamst Pederson and Arsene did the same yesterday, he said to arsenal.com,  “No [I have not bid for him],” However Pederson’s agent has said Blackburn have turned down offers for him but the agent seems to be eyeing this as a chance to get a bit of cash, Morten himself said, “I don’t go around thinking about money. It means a lot in this world, but not everything.” (Lancashire Telegraph)

Eduardo has been called up for the Croatia squad and Backary Sagna, Abou Diaby, and William Gallas have been called up to the France squad. If Walcott can get playing time under his belt this weekend surely he will make the England squad for the friendly against Germany. Theo is the perfect answer for England as he can play in two positions and has the speed to unlock the German defence. I’d love to see him get a run out at Wembley but is McLaren brave enough to call him up?

Clichy who didn’t make the France squad has been pointing out that Arsenal’s squad this season is tougher. Prague tried to roughen up Arsenal much the same way Bolton have tried in recent season, Clichy told Sky Sports, “Maybe they think this is the way to play against Arsenal. We have to show that we are not the same team as before and are ready for the challenge. “Everything is about mentality and we believe we have the quality in our football. “Every weekend, we play against a side like this in England. This season, we believe we have the football quality and the physical quality.” Arsenal did not wilter in the face of Sparta’s tough tackling and as Clichy said the quality football won through in the end. As Gallas has been saying in recent weeks, the spirit that has developed over pre-season has strengthened the Arsenal squad, this Arsenal appears stronger and ready for the fight.

Goal.com are linking Inter Milan with a move for Nicklas Bendtner next summer but this is likely to happen only if he makes regular appearances for Arsenal this season. If Bendtner does break into the team it is unlikely Wenger would let him go. Nicklas certainly gives Arsenal another option, very different from what was on offer last season, his height and pace has the possibility to change games.

Arsenal missed out of the midweek Premiership fixtures but Manure missed out too and only managed a draw, Chavski got another win from behind. As you all know The Scum are bottom of the league!!