When Arsenal lost our first Champions League group game away to the Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb two weeks ago, it was certainly a shock to many in the football world. And with Man City and Man United also losing their opening games, the debate about Premier League teams struggling in Europe was a hot topic in the football media.
However much of a blow our loss in Zagreb was, however, it is not necessarily a damaging blow, especially if the Gunners go out tonight and earn all three points against Olympiacos at the Emirates and put in an impressive performance.
Our German international star Mesut Ozil thinks that opening defeat could actually prove to be valuable to Arsenal and our hopes of going far in this season´s competition. He told Arsenal Player that he feels the Gunners are great at responding to a defeat and bouncing back strongly. We have certainly done so well in recent seasons, against Monaco last season and previously against Bayern Munich.
Ozil also dismissed the general concern about English teams´ failings and feels that we will do better this season. He reckons that Arsenal do have a squad capable of going all the way, although he also admits that any team needs a bit of luck along the way.
He said, “We’re developing ourselves further as a team. Defeats always rouse the team more and our aim this season is to go as far as possible, and if possible to win it, because we have the potential.
“But we are aware that there are a lot of teams in the tournament who are among the favourites and have a very good squad.
“In the Champions League, as in football, anything is possible and that’s what we want to show this year. With a bit of luck, we can reach our target and that’s what we want to do.
“We want to develop ourselves further. We have a very good team with lots of quality.
“Of course the first game didn’t go well for us but we have a lot of matches in front of us that we want to do well.
“I think there was a lot of misfortune last year. When you look at the English teams, you see that they are strong because they have a lot of players in their ranks who have a lot of quality.
“In the Champions League, especially in the knockout rounds, sometimes one goal or the away goals ruling can decide ties, like with us against Monaco, where that was the case.
“We had some bad luck and as a team you need more fortune. I think it will be different this year – the English sides are well equipped and will go far.”
Do you agree with Ozil? And do you think that early defeat will inspire the Gunners to better things in the games to come?
Shouldn’t need a defeat to get a kick up the Arse. If only these lads had people like Adams Keown Parlour etc around so they would fear that kick up the Arse. Point taken though, we can and have responded brilliantly at times.
Yeah. Do you?
Ozil du Schwachkopf. Got infected from the W-Virus i see.
I wonder what there excuse will be after today’s game. I don’t think another team in the world from manager to players all find excuses for being poor as arsenal players does. Wenger needs to be sacked all the other teams in our Zone knows that they stand a chance of progressing they are all sure Munich will go through but the second spot is wide open. Arsenal will not and I repeat will not win any significant title for as long as Wenger plan on staying at the club we are regressing as a team and not progressing, No other manager in the world would be playing Ramsay on current form. Wenger does have the easiest job in the world that is why he won’t resign he needs to be sack.
this DLWA virus seems to be attacking even the players sanchez ramsey walcott ozil seem to think we are barcelona.
at least monreal and cazorla were realistic to say we need to buy at least two players for us to mount a genuine title challenge
We always play tremendously when there’s no pressure (second legs against Bayern, last year against Monaco) but usually the first knockout leg we totally bottle it. Doesn’t even matter if it’s Bayern, Barcelona or f’n Monaco, we will fail.
That needs to be sorted out.
I can’t see us winning the UCL with our current squad to be realistic. But if we do… I’mA-say Oooooooooooooooooooo YES!
Strong comment there by ozzy.
You never know, maybe we could pull a Chelsea and make a run as underdogs of Europe.
One can hope though..
I personally hope we lose tonight and get kicked out of Uefa…we not going to win it anyway
Rather concentrate on EPL…
I hope we win, and Bayern and Dynamo draw. That’s the best scenario.
I still want the Boss to rotate his starts in tonight’s in our Ucl home game against Olympiakos. The Gunners will be at home to Man Utd on Sunday thus, making rotation a necessity for the Gunners 1st XI to have proper rest before playing that game. Arsenal’s lineup against Spurs at the Lane in the Capital One Cup: Ospina. DebuchyRhino’ ChambersGibbs. FlaminiArteta. CampbellRamseyOxlade. Bench:: OzilWalcottSanchezMonrealBellerinIwobiMacey. My Gunners starts for Olympiakos: Ospina. DebuchyRhino’ ChambersGibbs. CazorlaRamsey. CampbellOzilOxlade. Walcott. My bench: CechMonrealKoscielnyBellerinSanchezIwobiKamara.
I still want the Boss to rotate his starts in our tonight’s Ucl home game against Olympiakos. The Gunners will be at home to Man Utd on Sunday thus, making rotation a necessity for the Gunners 1st XI to have proper rest before playing that big game. Arsenal’s lineup against Spurs at the Lane in the Capital One Cup: Ospina. DebuchyRhino’ ChambersGibbs. FlaminiArteta. CampbellRamseyOxlade. Bench:: OzilWalcottSanchezMonrealBellerinIwobiMacey. My Gunners starts for Olympiakos: Ospina. DebuchyRhino’ ChambersGibbs. CazorlaRamsey. CampbellOzilOxlade. Walcott. My bench: CechMonrealKoscielnyBellerinSanchezIwobiKamara.
I wonder what the excuses will be after today’s match, Wenger needs to be sack this team is regressing not progressing.
Add Olynpiakos to the list as well..