Champions League preview: London Calling
This evening, London heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea have got some very important games, in the Champions League for very different reasons.
It is make or break for Arsenal as they have a mountain to climb against the German champions, Bayern Munich in their group following two shock losses to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos. On the other side of Europe Jose Mourinho will be wanting to make up for the loss, that was inflicted by his former club Porto in the previous tie against Dynamo Kiev.
Bayern Getting Gunned?
So, Arsene Wenger said yesterday in his press conference that everybody that took part in Watford game at the weekend will be available to face Bayern; he also stated that Ospina was injured to play and Gabriel is fit again. All in all very good news for me and for my heart. You want to know why? If David Ospina started against Bayern today, the blood pressures would be flying through the roof(i know I'm not alone in this..) Another reason to the whole squad being available is that it instills confidence amongst the players; one thing I noticed in the first two group games especially against Olympiakos was that the defence was shaky. There was too many miscommunications, especially from our great friend David Ospina (!) I understood the need to rotate the team due to demands from the Premier League but 7 seven changes brings an unbalance to the side. I'm not going to bash the manager for a second, but I don't understand why Petr Cech never played the first two games. It is the premier competition in Europe after all.
Now then, this evening will really be a test of Arsenal's credentials in the champions league and whether the big players can show up for the big games tonight. Now I know that Arsenal blew away Manchester United before the international break, I've heard it a thousand times but Bayern Munich is a different ball game. They have injuries problems of their own, but they have more than enough firepower to blow the Gunners away. One player in particular that Arsenal will have to be wary of is Robert Lewandowski who has been in sensational form lately, 22 goals in 16 games including the five goal frenzy against Wolfsburg. It's not all doom and gloom, Arsenal fans, there are players who can also have a big game of their own tonight, one specifically being Mesut Özil. He is one that has been slated for not turning up to big games until recently. Well tonight is your time shine, Mesut.
Redemption for Chelsea
Chelsea finally returned winning ways at the weekend against the freefalling Aston Villa and will hope to spark a winning run- what better ways than to do that tonight against Dynamo Kiev? Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho has stated that he wants more from Falcao if he is claim his place in the starting 11 for The Blues in future games as he has only started twice since he joined in the summer. Another player who will have to pick up his form this season if he wants to get back in the team is, last season's PFA Player of the Year, Eden Hazard. If he gets the chance to start tonight he will have to play like it's a final, to not only show to the manager but to his team mates and the supporters that last season was not a one off.
Let's face it this season has been one to forget so far not just for him but for all of Chelsea. It's almost as if the twin brothers of each player and staff has turned while the real one is somewhere kidnapped eh? I digress, tonight's game in one of the toughest atmospheres in Europe, Dynamo Kiev will be as big for Chelsea just as Arsenal's game against Bayern Munich.
That's all for now, bring 3 points tonight guys.( Yes even Chelsea..)
Twitter: @football_dugout @BethelMoyo
It is make or break for Arsenal as they have a mountain to climb against the German champions, Bayern Munich in their group following two shock losses to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos. On the other side of Europe Jose Mourinho will be wanting to make up for the loss, that was inflicted by his former club Porto in the previous tie against Dynamo Kiev.
Bayern Getting Gunned?
So, Arsene Wenger said yesterday in his press conference that everybody that took part in Watford game at the weekend will be available to face Bayern; he also stated that Ospina was injured to play and Gabriel is fit again. All in all very good news for me and for my heart. You want to know why? If David Ospina started against Bayern today, the blood pressures would be flying through the roof(i know I'm not alone in this..) Another reason to the whole squad being available is that it instills confidence amongst the players; one thing I noticed in the first two group games especially against Olympiakos was that the defence was shaky. There was too many miscommunications, especially from our great friend David Ospina (!) I understood the need to rotate the team due to demands from the Premier League but 7 seven changes brings an unbalance to the side. I'm not going to bash the manager for a second, but I don't understand why Petr Cech never played the first two games. It is the premier competition in Europe after all.
Now then, this evening will really be a test of Arsenal's credentials in the champions league and whether the big players can show up for the big games tonight. Now I know that Arsenal blew away Manchester United before the international break, I've heard it a thousand times but Bayern Munich is a different ball game. They have injuries problems of their own, but they have more than enough firepower to blow the Gunners away. One player in particular that Arsenal will have to be wary of is Robert Lewandowski who has been in sensational form lately, 22 goals in 16 games including the five goal frenzy against Wolfsburg. It's not all doom and gloom, Arsenal fans, there are players who can also have a big game of their own tonight, one specifically being Mesut Özil. He is one that has been slated for not turning up to big games until recently. Well tonight is your time shine, Mesut.
Redemption for Chelsea
Chelsea finally returned winning ways at the weekend against the freefalling Aston Villa and will hope to spark a winning run- what better ways than to do that tonight against Dynamo Kiev? Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho has stated that he wants more from Falcao if he is claim his place in the starting 11 for The Blues in future games as he has only started twice since he joined in the summer. Another player who will have to pick up his form this season if he wants to get back in the team is, last season's PFA Player of the Year, Eden Hazard. If he gets the chance to start tonight he will have to play like it's a final, to not only show to the manager but to his team mates and the supporters that last season was not a one off.
Let's face it this season has been one to forget so far not just for him but for all of Chelsea. It's almost as if the twin brothers of each player and staff has turned while the real one is somewhere kidnapped eh? I digress, tonight's game in one of the toughest atmospheres in Europe, Dynamo Kiev will be as big for Chelsea just as Arsenal's game against Bayern Munich.
That's all for now, bring 3 points tonight guys.( Yes even Chelsea..)
Twitter: @football_dugout @BethelMoyo
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