WHY ARSENAL MAY LIKELY DRAW REAL MADRID IN THE KNOCKOUT STAGES OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
Arsenal might have finished top of their group Standings (GROUP A) of the Champions League in an attempt to avoid the Bayern/Barca nemesis in the knockout stages but it looks as if the first position is just the same as coming second this season. Could this why PSG intelligently dodged the top spot in an attempt to avoid heavyweights like Bayern Munich (certain) and Real Madrid (who were held by a quality Dortmund side) in the knockout stages. With the perceptions brewing among the football sector there are some feelings that Arsenal may draw the Los Blancos in the knockout stages. That will be mouthwatering and a big test among father and son i.e. Wenger and Zidane, and will be really beneficial to those that matters as the case may.
Here are five reasons why I think Arsenal may draw Real Madrid in the knockout stages.
MESUT OZIL REUNION
The playmaker left Los Blancos to join Arsenal for a record fee (42.5 million) to the delight of Arsenal fans who followed the transfer deadline day (last hour) with the minute’s ticking down the clock by the seconds. Ozil left the Spanish Capital under Carlo Ancelotti (now at Bayern Munich) who felt that the German was afraid of competition from some of the best players at the World’s biggest Club. The midfielder’s departure generated tension at the club as it was reported that talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo was not happy with the exit, as Ozil provided the assists for Ronaldo’s goals at the club. A draw would instigate some speculation about Ozil whose future at Arsenal along with Alexis is still uncertain. Whichever way if Ozil decides to sign an extension, then it will be nice to see how the player would be welcomed at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
REAL/ARSENAL RETURN CLASH
The Gunners were pitched against Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League enroute to Arsenal’s run to the Final with Barcelona. The Star studded Real side with Luis Figo, Brazilian Roberto Carlos and the current Coach Zinedine Zidane in their ranks was defeated by Arsenal led by Thierry Henry in the Round of 16. With a new generation on board and with different achievement and direction headed by the two clubs it will be interesting to see who comes out on top after both legs. It will be the chance of Real to turn the tables against the Arsenal side that ran away with a painful away win at the Bernabeu. A draw presents a vengeance canon for Real against Arsenal just as Real Madrid did exert revenge against the Red Devils at the latter stages of Ferguson’s reign.
RETURN OF REAL MADRID RIVAL
One of the greatest rivals in world (European) football is notably the El Classico game between Barcelona and Real Madrid of which recently ended 1-1.The pressure and fans anticipation to the game with some level of bitterness and top quality performance from players had increased its following worldwide. Former Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez who featured in those games will be on the spotlight following his audacious chip to make it 3-1 against Real Madrid in one of the El Classico matches. The forward made a move to Arsenal in search of first team football following the arrival of Neymar and the scintillating Pedro of Barcelona, and now the Chilean had found a home at the Emirates. If Arsenal draws Real Madrid in the knockout stages it will be good to see how the Bernabeu crowd reacts to the touch of the ball from their rival Alexis Sanchez as rivalry between both heavy weights is as strong as ever with Messi and Ronaldo in sight.
THE BENZEMA RUMOURS
The French forward Karim Benzema had been linked to Arsenal for some season agos now. The rumours are still in the air as Arsene Wenger has a track record for bringing French players to the club ranging from Henry, Pires and to Arsenal current acting skipper Laurent Koscielny. One would wonder why Anthony Martial was not signed by Arsene Wenger. With the return of Alvaro Morata and the youthful talent of Marco Asensio, the Benzema move away from Bernabeu to possibly Arsenal may not be exclusively ruled out and a draw between both European Superpowers (Arsenal and Real Madrid) would ignite the interest in the French forward.
UEFA’S KEEN INTEREST FOR REVENUE
The round leather is a strong bond in the world with its allocation to the economic and financial relations. Football is a huge business ranging from the TV-rights to the behind the scene spectacle. UEFA will be looking to see how two heavyweights will come against each other in the knockout stages. With the UEFA zone losing some financial grounds due to the inability of heavyweights like Chelsea, Liverpool and AC Milan to make it to the group stages of the competition, the confederation will seek to pitch two top sides in the draw to generate massive revenue for the game. Games like Arsenal vs. Barcelona and Chelsea vs. Liverpool was a likely draw as UEFA sort to generate massive revenue with teams who have big fan base and followership in the world. Manchester United vs. Barcelona was very beneficial to UEFA as there were massive economic gain from the game, and a Real vs. Arsenal clash will provide another chance for UEFA to fill in the gap as to what was lost in the absence of the aforementioned top clubs this season from the UEFA Champions League Competition.
Do you think it is possible that UEFA fix the draw sometimes?
Obiweluozo Martins