Koscielny is Key

July 2, 2014

Watching the World Cup and our players representing their countries it is possible to view their performances without the bias of an Arsenal match.  I would like to highlight our central defenders.

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Having enjoyed the Germany/ Algeria game it became apparent that Mertesacker was being focussed upon by the Algerian midfield. They chose to send long balls onto a forward who was as close to Per as possible. Why? Because Per has excellent vision and pitch awareness, he knows where to snuff out danger and how to make the best of his talents, but what he doesn’t have is pace. My grandmother with bricks on her feet has more pace – even I am fleeter of foot. In the first half in particular the Algerians attacked this weakness. The German response was to use the goalkeeper Neuer as a sweeper – not the most secure defensive tactic!

Germany use Merts as the distributor from the back and as such he is always the last man and it repeatedly caused Germany problems. He does the same at Arsenal but for us he doesn’t appear to be such a liability – why?

Let’s look at France’s defensive set-up. Two attacking wingers, the best (? RM think so) young centre back in world football and Koscielny. What has become clear is just how reliant France are upon Kos’s awareness and pace. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Varane may well become a brilliant player but right now he is being educated by his centre back partner. It was good fortune for France that Sakho was injured and Deschamps was forced to play Kos whom the French blamed for the loss in their first game against Ukraine in the WC play-offs.

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Kos is two-footed according to Sagna (and he should know), he has a prodigious leap, is tactically aware but above all is is quick – very quick. Arsene bought him for €9m and after a problematic opening season he has developed into a key player at Arsenal. When he is missing even a fine defender like Vermaelen cannot fully replace him.

Which brings me to this. To be successful one has to have a proper CB partnership – we have one of the finest. Per and Laurent complement each other. They have different skills – Kos is a better tackler, Merts is better in the air, Kos is better with the ball at hois feet and running into midfield, Merts is better at distribution out of defence.

The fact of the matter is that Mertesacker is a better player when Koscielny is by his side and vice versa.

There isn’t a better CB partnership in the World Cup than Arsenal have at the Emirates – we should be proud.

Written by Big Raddy

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The Daily Poll.

July 1, 2014

Argentina vs Switzerland. If the Swiss pick Ponderous and Djourou as their central defenders this could get very nasty. Given the outstanding attacking talent of Argentina they should stroll this game but I thought that of Germany! The Argies haven’t hit their straps as yet but they have such a superb side they surely must at some stage in the competition.

The Swiss rarely beat Argentina but with Drmic and Shaqiri they have a glimmer of a chance. This is likely to be Ottmar Hitzfeld’s last game – fine manager, good haircut.

Argentina win

Belgium vs USA:  I think this is a very interesting game. Belgium have individual skill in abundance but have yet to display real teamwork whereas USA,USA,USA are the opposite – no-one stands out but they work for each other like billy-ho (bet you haven’t seen that expression for sometime!).

Dempsey’s face is getting re-arranged as the tournament progresses, black eyes, wobbly nose, staring eyes. USA have a hippy in midfield which I like – it is easy to imagine having a toke at half-time instead of an orange slice. The USA fans have been great with Klinsmann finally finding a way to introduce football (not effing soccer) to the Yanks, even Obama is watching!

On paper this should be a Belgium win. The introduction of Fellaini has given them a focus and Hazard is improving. It was horrible to see Vermælen hobbling out – what an awful season he has suffered – and  with Kompany struggling for fitness there could be defensive problems.

Goalscoring has been a problem for both teams, could be tight.

A USA win (just for RA)

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Poll: Today’s winners?

June 30, 2014

France vs Nigeria: Nigeria squeezed through qualification but I like them. Decent footballers with considerable skill, great athletes and a fine kit. Part of my affection is due to spending much time in Nigeria searching for unknown breeds of fish (unsuccessfully!!., And then there is the Kanu factor. I loved Kanu – still do,  a real gentleman and a superb ambassador for his country, oh, and the scorer of the finest hat-trick ever seen at Stamford Bridge. And if that isn’t enough Nwanko remains a committed Gooner as you can see from his website.

The French. I have a love/hate relationship with both the country and the football team. I so much enjoyed the victory in 1998 when Arsenal won the World Cup but I also enjoyed the disaster in South Africa in 2010. This time we have a few lads in the French squad and for that reason I will support them tonight. They have a flaky manager – how else can one explain how Deschamps would  pick Sakho ahead of Koscielny or drop Giroud after an exceptional performance against the Swiss?

So, it’s France for me.

Germany vs Algeria: Another African team and one who will give the Germans a tough match. They have surprised many (including BR) with their teamwork but surely tonight is the end of an exciting journey. 4 goals against Korea was a shock but highlighted what an easy group they were in.

Germay will be rightly confident. They are the best European side and have yet to hit top form. With 3 AFC players (plus hopefully one or two more to come) in the squad and at least two to start, they have to be favourites. Nonetheless, if they get beaten it will give our lads a couple of weeks more holiday

Germany win.

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Poll: Winners? Netherlands vs Mexico. Costa Rica vs Greece

June 29, 2014

First up, the Dutch with those fine upstanding gentlemen Robben, De Jong, Snejder and a chap with a happy child within against some valiant losers 😀

Could this be a game as exciting and engrossing as yesterdays first game? Does anyone think Mexico can take Holland to pens or even beat them? The poll will tell.

The Mexico goalkeeper has been outstanding but I fear he will need to be, Netherlands have pace, power and potency whereas Mexico are ageing. That said they have a great manager in Herrera and it will be an interesting tactical battle with some bloke who has been given the poisoned chalice of resurrecting the Mancs.

Netherlands for me.

Costa Rica vs Greece.  Both teams created a surprise by getting out of their groups. For Greece to be still in it whilst Italy, Spain, England, Ivory Coast and Portugal are watching from the couch is  ….. well, bewildering. They have such a negative attitude and quite frankly are a piss-poor side.  However, I am delighted for the people of Greece who  could use some cheering up!

Costa Rica topped the group with aplomb. They have a Gooner in their midst, I want them to win with a Campbell hat trick.

 

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Who do you want to win: Poll Brazil or Chile / Columbia or Uruguay?

June 28, 2014

A quick filler of a post …. better than nothing eh?

Who do you want to win?

Brazil/Chile: For me it is clearly a Brazil win thanks to their brilliance in attack allied to their craziness in defence. Real entertainers. Chile, though a fine team are more Bayern Munich in their approach – all for one, one for all.

Essentially I want tot see more Neymar.

Columbia/Uruguay: Not so simple because this is more a heart than a head match. I do not want Uruguay to win purely because of their defence of Suarez. IMO it is all well and good to support a teammate but when it so clearly flies in the face of the evidence it becomes embarrassing. To blame the English media is just puerile. Columbia on the other hand are the surprise of the tournament, playing entertaining and enterprising football. They remind me of the Arsenal. So, it is Columbia for me

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Arsenal. A selling club?

June 3, 2014

Given our new found riches the media are totally focussed upon whom we should buy, but let’s turn this around – who should we sell?

Bendtner, Sagna, Fabianski and Park are already condemned to play away from the Home of Football but if you had your way who else would join them? We have players who are very attractive to other teams – some who may be targets would be a painful loss, others less so.

What about Ramsey? This fellow is going to be a great and not just an Arsenal great. If you had unlimited resources who in the PL would you look at if you wanted a young midfielder? Henderson? You must be joking. Eriksen? Doesn’t deserve to tie Ramsey’s laces. Barkley? Not yet and doesn’t score enough. Now I can hear you say – we will never sell Ramsey, but Spurs fans thought that about Bale! 50+m euros may well make the Board listen.

Just joking – Aaron will stay at AFC until he needs a zimmer frame  to get onto the pitch. Same goes for Wilshire.

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“What? I am going to Swansea with Lukasz?”

But what of our other midfielders, could any of them be targets for other clubs? Rosicky? Why not – he is quality. I know he has signed a new contract and that he is coming to the end of his career but  – OK, you are right – no-one will buy him. But what of Cazorla? Given the development of Wilshere and the wonder of Ozil do we really need our Spanish magician? Could he be sold to bring in extra money to buy a Cavani or a Falcao?

Horrible idea but given how many MF’s we have one may well be sold and no-one is buying Diaby!

Arteta or Flamini? Again few possible suitors. They are at AFC until their contracts run down or we can arrange a free transfer for Mathieu.

Except, Except ….. what if we sign Fabregas? Would anyone object to selling, let us say JW or Cazorla, or according to GIE, Arteta, to make way for Cesc? (disclaimer: GIE’s was not proposing selling MA!)

What about defenders? Sagna has gone, but is Monreal available? Is he the man to be a solid understudy to Gibbs and if not should he be sold? I like him but accept his limitations.

Vermaelen? Club captain and a quality player; I am sure Mr Wenger will be unwilling to sell such a superb backup CB but what about Thomas’s ambitions – I am sure he will want away in summer and there will be plenty of teams who would sign him.

And Koscielny will only enhance his reputation in Brazil and become a hot property – Barca are desperate for new CB’s. Kos would be a great signing and not crazy money. Merts? Too valuable to sell.

Upfront we have less to fear from raiders. Giroud is a fine player and could well return to France but where? Monaco have Falcao and PSG Cavani and Ibra – the other teams don’t have the money as OG will be at least double what we paid for him.

Ox? Theo? Ozil? Sanogo? Can’t see any of them leaving but what of Podolski? My hope is that we sign Drexler and if we do there is no place for Pod – fine player though he is. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Podolski leave in summer.

Of course, none of the above are likely to be sold, particularly as we have the finances to keep suitors at bay, but there are players who could and perhaps should leave the squad – especially as we will buy this summer.

Who do you think should empty his locker?

Written by Big Raddy

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Arsenal to Lose Europe’s Hottest Striker

May 21, 2014

Have a look at the table below:-(well, if I knew how to make a table there would be one!!)

 

Player                                  Goals             Minutes per Goal

Lionel Messi                           28                    96

Christiano Ronaldo                 28                    84

Luis Suarez                            31                    92

Sergio Aguero                        17                    81

Nicklas Bendtner                     2                     78

 

Conclusive proof that our Nik is one of Europe’s finest and most deadly strikers 😀

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OK, that was a little joke but there is a sadness at the waste of talent as young Bendtner runs down his contract. So much talent, so little application.

When NB was coming through the Arsenal ranks there was so much hope for him; he was being taught by the best in the business in Henry, Bergkamp and later Van Persie. His first PL goal for Arsenal was a wonderful header which won the game against Spurs. He was lauded here in Denmark as the new Michael Laudrup. Denmark’s Best Sportsman at just 19, Danish Footballer of the Year at 21 – the best Danish football talent for over a decade but then it all slipped away.

Why?

Partly because of the above – he was being hailed as a major talent before he had achieved anything on the pitch and it went to his head. If you were earning 50+k a week as a teenager who wasn’t even a first team regular who knows how it would affect you?

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Too Much, Too Young

His Arsenal career is ending having fizzled but never catching fire.

This season has been a massive disappointment. Pre-Season was fine, he was recovering from long-term injury and being kicked out of Juventus without even a leaving pressie. He was fit and ready. We hadn’t signed a back-up striker to OG, probably in the belief that Bendtner could finally come good – instead he royally blew his chances to the point where he hasn’t been back to Arsenal in a couple of months.

What was he doing? What demons are in his head to make him self-destruct in such a stupid and public manner? Is it booze – he certainly likes a beer? Is it fame? Surely if you grow up in the spotlight you get used to it and NB was Danish U-17 player of the year and already signed for AFC at just 16 – it is not as though he is shy in front of the camera!

Nik’s life has bee conducted under the glare of constant media scrutiny and it seems that he lives up to their very low expectations. Here he is known as the Klovn (clown) and with good cause.

But what a shame. He has so much talent – great in the air, deft touch for a big man, good first time control and a modicum of pitch intelligence. He should have been Plan B, instead he is taking a quiet walk to the exit door.

Could Arsenal have handled him better? Could someone within the club have taken him aside and told him how he was destroying his career? No-one did or perhaps he is incapable of listening.

With 24 goals from 56 International and 24 from 106 AFC appearances (mostly as sub) there will be no shortage of clubs vying for his free transfer though no-one will give him half of his current wage. Leicester or Swansea (should Bony or Michu leave) are possibles.

But Nik’s departure leaves a dissatisfaction – he should have been an Arsenal man – he has been with us for 10 years – and yet he is just a fool and when he clears out the Number 52 locker  it will be with the Tears of a Clown.

written by Big Raddy

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She Wore.

May 17, 2014

There are signs up in Islington warning about traffic disruption for the Arsenal Victory parade on Sunday – I don’t like it. We fans know that there is many a slip twix’t the Cup and the Lip 😀

But today is a day to rejoice; a day when we can enjoy the pre-match excitement until the kick-off and a day to hail the efforts of our great team to bring us to Wembley. After kick-off is another matter entirely. For BR it will be an afternoon of prayer and working out which of my family can be sacrificed to ensure victory. Needs must.

Let’s be honest, if this was a league game at The Emirates against a depleted Hull, we would be confident – make that very confident – it is just that the game is at New Wembley (where we have yet to win in 90 mins) and is hugely important to the fans and the team. And most importantly we have screwed up these games before. Lack of bottle? Poor tactics? An inherent weakness in recent Wenger teams? Who knows – all I know is I still feel the pain of our last Wembley disaster.

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He wore, he wore …

Another chap who probably squirms at the word Wembley is young Szczesny, which brings us nicely onto the first of our selection considerations. TPIG 1 or TPIG 2? Does Mr Wenger reward Fabainski’s work over the years he has been at the club or does he give his first choice keeper the shirt knowing he will be here next season? Both will do the job, both are excellent keepers. To me this is a head or heart question. Head = Chesney, heart = Fab. Given how pragmatic Wenger is it would not surpass me to see Fabianski on the bench, but I really hope he gets picked because without his heroics in the semi-final penalty shoot out, we wouldn’t be there (though TPIG 1 is an excellent penalty stopper).

Given this is likely to be a midfield battle should Flamini play? Huddlestone is a big unit and probability Hull’s best player. Can our lightweight MF’s cope?

Sanogo? He has started games in the cup matches and even in the Champions League. I know – no chance!!

If we win and Vermaelen is not on the pitch, should he go up to pick up the Cup? Terry did. Or will it be Arteta?

In reality the team picks itself. Had JW made an early recovery from injury he may have had a shout as a starter but he didn’t.

My Team:

fa c 2

I would love there to be space for Rosicky, JW, Ox and TV but sadly they will be riding the pine. This team is our best eleven at the moment and has easily enough skill, power and above all imagination to beat Hull.

I suppose I should write a little about Hull. Trouble is I wrote about them just a couple of weeks ago and although I am sure you have forgotten all of my post it is just repetition.

What is for certain is that the Hull team will be bursting lungs, arteries, muscles and blood vessels to beat Arsenal today. Imagine saying to your children “this is my FA Cup Winners medal” – how fantastic must that be? Certainly better than “We got to play at Wembley but got beaten and this is my Loser’s medal”.

Squishy Nose Bruce will be saying the undeniable “It is just eleven vs eleven and if you want it enough you will win”. He is right except our heroes also are better players. Hull’s best chance is to battle and harry, to “get in our faces”.  They have the players to do so.

How do you think the game will develop? I am hoping to be three up at half-time, Didit will be looking for a last minute of extra time winner (he is a young man with a strong heart). Whatever happens I want us to win – I would love us to do so with brio and Wengerball but I would take a scrappy own goal and a poor display – as long as we win.

Prediction: Podolski or Cazorla will score a screamer from the edge of the area and if Ramsey plays well we will win – there I’ve said it and put a bok on the lads. They are likely to play terribly 😦

Like the vast majority I will be watching this at home, bereft and sad that I am not with my heroes. I wasn’t there in Paris for the CL Final, I wasn’t there for the Birmingham caper,  I wasn’t there for the FAC Final losses to West Ham or Ipswich. My point being that my non-appearance at a final can be costly, in other words …. does anyone have a spare?  I can fly over as long as I have a few hours notice!

That said I wasn’t there for the ’71 double win against Liverpool and I was in Paris for the “Nayim” loss – so they aren’t all bad portents for this afternoon.

To those lucky blighters who have tickets, Big Raddy and the entire Arsenal world wish you a fantastic day.

Today is 6 weeks since our good friend and great Gunner DanDan died.  Wouldn’t be a fitting end to his final season if Arsenal won the Cup? Let it be So ……

COYRR Gunners

written by Big Raddy

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More points Garnered?

May 11, 2014

With the excitement of next week and fourth place in the bag would you be upset if Mr Wenger played the U-21 side? It is true the three points are handy and will give us our best points tally since 2007 but that doesn’t give us a trophy does it?

Which would be worse, getting beaten or losing RamZil for the final?

For Mr Wenger it is a damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t situation. If he plays a full first team and anyone gets knacked then the press and fans will question his choices, but if  he chooses reserves and we lose, the same people will talk about loss of confidence and lack of respect.

It is a game when 3 subs are simply not enough. The ideal situation would be similar to an England friendly – start with the experimental side for the first 60 mins and then bring on 7 first teamers for a runabout.

Norwich: Doomed to play Championship football unless they can beat us by 17 goals and WBA lose. Anyone think this is likely? Norwich are one of the few teams that almost everyone likes – well, maybe not like , let’s try not many people dislike. It will be sad to see them go.

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Neil Adams seems a likeable enough chap. Was it the right decision to sack Hughton? Of course it was, he is tainted. Name me one ex-Spurs man who has done well in club management (and before you start, Alf Ramsey is the exception not the rule).

Will Adams keep his job next season?  Who could have predicted that Sunderland would have garnered 13 points from their last 5 games having taken Nul Point (said in a french accent following last night’s Eurovision) from the previous 5? Had this not happened Adams would have kept Norwich up but I feel like his team Adams is doomed.( BTW, where else can one use the word “garnered”? Can one garner some potatoes?)

Norwich are going down because they cannot score. Defensively they are sound, having conceded just 16 goals at home this season which is 4th best in the PL. Both City and Everton have dropped points at Carrow Rd.

Arsenal: As this game will not impact at all upon our season, will this result in the handbrake being released? I expect Norwich to go down fighting which means our players will have to play with the intensity required to win any PL game.

As to the line-up this is my guess …….

nor v arse

There is hardly any chance Mr Wenger will start this midfield but I would like him to. If Diaby is fit enough for the bench then he is fit enough to start. Wilshire and Ramsey to get a 30 minute cameo and OG 5 minutes at the end.  Job done.

This team has enough to beat Norwich though it requires Sanogo to finally get on the scoresheet. Have a blinder today and Mr Wenger could save €40m on a striker in summer – he obviously rates the young Frenchman but until he turns potential into goals there must be question marks.

Norwich: The town has an interesting history. Originally settled by the Iceni tribe  (of whom Boudicea was a leader). They did not take kindly to the Roman arrival and the Italians gave them a proper spanking before making the area the capital of East Anglia. They left around 450 A.D. along with all their fancy dan Roman friends and the land was taken over by the Anglo-Saxons who named it Norwic. Then those pesky Vikings under Swein Forkbeard arrived (whom we met a few weeks ago on our trip to Cardiff) and razed the city before settling there (not the best introduction to the locals!!). Norwich grew and it was mentioned in the Domesday book (1086) that 98 houses were demolished to make way for Norwich Castle. Norwich Cathedral was built not long after.

200px-Norwich_Cathedral,_spire_and_south_transept

Henry 2 and Richard the Lionheart both gave the city it’s charter and Norwich became the only English city ever excommunicated by the Pope! By this time it was the second largest city in England. It remains a lovely, historic city with some highly recommended tea shops!

So ….. last League pre-match of the season and probably one of the hardest to write. What is there interesting to say about a dead rubber?

My hope is for an entertaining game, a win for the good guys and an injury free end to the season

COYRRG

written by Big Raddy

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It was 20 years ago today ……..

May 4, 2014

Firstly let’s honour the boss and the team for avoiding Spursday for yet another season and allowing Didit and I an opportunity to continue our gastronomic tour of Europe.

I know all the arguments about 4th not being a trophy etc etc, we have done them to death in the blogs. I just ask this – would Everton, Spurs, MU etc like to swap with us? Would Moyes have been sacked had MU finished 4th?

Which brings us onto today and our final home game of the season against a West Brom side who need the points much more than we do. If WBA survive will Pepe Mel keep his job? I hope so. Yesterday’s results must have boosted WBA’s chances.

Who would you like to see relegated?

I am afraid I have never taken to WBA, don’t like their kit, don’t like their ground or their nickname – the Baggies – reminds me of Australians (cricket lovers will understand). In fact since their halcyon days of Big Ron and the 3 Degrees (look it up!) they have become just another Midlands club – sorry WBA fans but that is how it is. That said, I love that the Three Degrees are to honoured with a statue outside the Hawthorns

Then there is Jeff Astle. Let me explain. The year was 1970 and I was football obsessed. England were World Champions having won the Cup in ’66. We had a formidable team but had to travel to Mexico to defend our cup. England were drawn in a group with the favourites and eventual winners Brazil. This is the famous Brazil ’70 side which included Pele, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Carlos Alberto and is known as probably the finest football team ever assembled. Anyway ….. had we won that tie we would have avoided West Germany in the next round and probably gone on to win the thing again. Instead despite Gordon Banks worldie to save from Pele’s header and Bobby Moore’s unforgettable tackle on the great man, we were losing to a Jairzinho goal. As the game entered it’s final phase Astle came on as sub for Franny Lee. We were pushing for an equaliser and then Astle got his chance to become a hero; Terry Cooper knocked in a cross, the ball fell to Astle 5 yards out from an empty net and he scuffed it. The nation wept. We went on to lose to West Germany.

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Jeff remains a hero at West Brom; there are the Astle gates into the Hawthorns and the fans still sing his name, but to millions of England football fans his miss heralded the end of England as an International force.

Arsenal: Do we finish the season on a high by sending out a first choice team and playing some risky full out attacking football or give some reserves a run out? Given 17 years of watching Mr Wenger, I will hazard a guess – the former 😀

Confidence must be high, Ozil and Ramsey are fit and firing, we are as injury free as an AFC squad can be, and it should be sunny. WBA have reason for concern.

Bacary must start in what could be his final game at The Emirates. It would be very sad to see him leave as I have a long standing man-love for our braided Frenchman, hopefully he will see the light and signdating. To those lucky enough to attend please sing him name loud and proud – he deserves it after a fine season.

The team almost picks itself. Podolski is playing his best football since his arrival – could it be he is playing for a move or showing AW he doesn’t need to sign another left-sided attacker?

My Team:

a v wb

It would be a surprise to see anyone replacing the above but perhaps Rosicky will be included – he is such a wonderful player and too good to ride the pine.

Sad that Ox and JW are not fit enough to stake a claim for the WC squad but being Arsenal-centric I am delighted. A long beach holiday followed by an uninterrupted pre-seasonshould set them up nicely for our tilt at the title.

20 years ago today a much younger Big Raddy began his day with a pint of lager in an airport pub. It was the start of one the most memorable days of my life. A pre-match drink up in bars all over central Copenhagen, followed by an unforgettable noisy walk to the Parken which is just 400m from where I sit to write these posts. An astonishing defensive display which could have been the pinnacle of the Famous 5’s achievements, and a rare as hen’s teeth Alan Smith goal from outside the area in front of 25,000 very nervous fans led to the lifting of a Euro Cup. It was a magical evening – my first magical Copenhagen evening of many.

Unknown

 

Here’s to the Winners of 1994 ….. could the current Arsenal team emulate their predecessors and win a Cup 20 years later?

Written by Big Raddy

 

 

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