I expect to be put through a wide range of emotions between now and around 10 pm this evening. Already I can feel a knot in the pit of my stomach combined with a familiar sickly feeling that is normally reserved for just before kick off. Fear and excitement in equal measures will come and go until the outcome is settled. Then joy or depression will set in. For some of us weak souls, it will be a long day.
The way the first leg went, if we could have been going into this game 4 or 5 goals to the good , but as we know all too well, its 1-1 and the away goal is a killer.
I expect the team to be the same as started the first leg. The only change could be Mkhitaryan , but where he plays and who he replaces is beyond me. I suppose it would be either Danny or Jack, but given his injury and how well they both played, it would be both risky and harsh.
Honestly, I can’t remember ever wanting Arsenal to win a game of football as much, but I think that most weeks.
Let’s just hope for a good performance, a good Referee and a great result that gives us the chance of one last rousing goodbye to our greatest ever manager, and my personal hero.
Positively Arsenal 
A long day indeed – I do not care about the result. I only want to see our players give everything they have on the pitch.
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Good preview, George.
Covered all the main points I can think of- the nerves, that tactical humdinger (I’d Like Mkhi in, but how?), and how badly I want us to win it.
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anicoll- I’d add what George touched upon last paragraph.
Really hope that whatever happens there’s not some awful ref luck or the like decisive in game. Unless it’s for us!
Already reconsidered and Mkhi on bench may be no bad thing at all. I like to have at least one big attacking weapon in reserve and feel he has edge over others in ability to come on in variety of situations, get into game and make impact.
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Nice read and my sentiments exactly. It’s a season-defining match. And extra significant because of the Wenger factor. Arsene is the best thing I’ve seen happen to Arsenal in 40 years as a fan. It’s currently 10.30pm here in NZ and the match is on at 7am. I’m so excited/nervous it’s going to be hard to sleep. COYG! Let’s do this for Arsene.
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I certainly have my fingers crossed fo the referee – I see Turpin is not in the saddle but the equally experienced Rocchi. If things begin to turn against the home side I anticipate it will be a very difficult game to control.
Our lads need to concentrate on the game, not the officials.
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Take your mind off it for 7 minutes folks.
Chairman of Turkish club claims his ex player is set to join us.
Was mentioned couple months back. Soyuncu.
Youtube so, I know, I know, but does look impressive. Shades of Kos and, surely, what we need in at least one cb. Speed to cover distances and great sharpness. Both our cb’s need to be able to play and looks like he can do that. Seems to have a real gift for shaping to play with one foot and moving it to the other, which is very easy on eye. Timing looks excellent. Good strength and aggression.
TURN THE MUSIC OFF UNLESS YOU LIKE REALLY BAD EURO DANCE MUSIC
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anicoll
Once saw Clattenburg (who was capable of being very good on his day, away from prem particularly) do an incredible job there. They were desperate and diving every time ball was in box. Trying every last trick all over pitch. Crowd in perfect harmony with efforts. They have the Spurs thing of the greater the need, the greater the cheating.
He stayed strong all the way, not giving them the calls and making clear he wasn’t impressed, and by the end they were playing the game normally, with hardly any diving etc.
Even managed to change crowds behaviour.
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I suspect we will be undone by the theatrics tonight sadly.
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I am positive but like markyb I believe there willbe more falling around looking for yellow and red cards . Xhaka will be a big target to get sent off any type of contact will result in lots of rolling around on the floor and indignation or the temerity to get close the an Aleti player.
I suspect Gabi will play high quality player , he will lead all complaints to the ref and will be in the ref ear constantly.
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Straight to the point PG.
I would prefer Mkhi starting, in who’s place is up to boss if he does me that one favour. Don’t think its going to be easy breaking down Atleti’s defense as they will have the patience to sit… and sit… and sit…
Knocking them off their rockers from the off might leave them hazy.
Come on boys! Do it for me. Okay for George since he called dibs, but I wouldn’t mind living off his joy at all.
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I am definitely wanting a result over performance or anything else tonight. The planned send off against Burnley will have a much better positive feel to it if we are in the final.
George your right about nerves my guts are churning already. I really want to win this and I’m going to be gutted if we don’t go through and yes I understand were not favourites.
Obviously I want to see Wengerball at its best with fast flowing football culminating in us scoring plenty of goals however if the ball goes in off the refs chin and we win 1-0 I’ll be happy. I’ll probably be crapping myself but I’ll be happy. COYG.
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Would be lovely that if we went down to ten then sneak a lovely one nil to the Arsenal though wouldn’t it, the press would absolutely hate that
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Paul Vaessen
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Robin van Persie says fans should remember Arsenal were the BORES of English football before Arsene Wenger took over
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COYG!
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Well said PG.
No other way to say it, “we” owe ourselves a win??…we are due a big win
For AW. For the entire squad & staff. For what was sacrificed moving to the Emirates. For everything thats transpired since 2004. But most of all, for AW
Ospina
Bellerin – Mustafi – Koscielny – Monreal
Ramsey – Xhaka
Mkhitaryan – Ozil – Welbeck
Lacazette
S: Cech, Chambers, Mavropanos/Holding, Kolasinac, MaitlandNiles, Wilshere, Iwobi.
COYG!!!
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We want our Arsenal back!
Oh those halcyon days when Martin Keown was the most important Central Midfielder and his injury before the final left us all devastated.
Pleased Mhki traveled
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James Benge
Verified account @jamesbenge
1h1 hour ago
England U17 squad for Euros confirmed ahead of start tomorrow. Arsenal (6) have more representatives than any other team.
Arsenal representatives: Vontae Daley-Campbell, Trae Coyle, Xavier Amaechi, Fol Balogun, Tyreece John-Jules, Bukayo Saka
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Whatever happened to Stan Higginbottom ?
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I’m showing my age …
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Whatever happens tonight, whatever result it won’t change my loyalty or respect for mr Wenger.
Come on Arsenal, let’s do this!!!
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Wilshere on team, Miki on bench… Interesting.
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We are going to win…
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Called it, now will you all admit I’m the ITK genius ?
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WwwB that means all six are still eligible for our FA Youth cup team next season.
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Good luck everyone.
May the force be with you.
UTA.
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Koscielny down injured, looks in a lot of pain.
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jeez, some reports that kos has snapped a tendon, chambers on
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Gutted for Kos
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ref been very weak so far
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shit fucking defending again, Costa scores. fuck it
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Bellerin has not been in this game… end of
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FFS, not good timing. We are a team who seems to make life difficult on regular occasions!
Not out of this one though
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The theme this season..self- inflicted errors, unnecessary fouls, Ospina’s poor decision making. We can still turn this around…
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Sickener. Had been a good half and responded very well to horrible blow with kos.
The collective brain of the team failed though considering how game is poised
Not over. Has looked from start more a game for Mhiki rather than Wellbeck. Excellent touches over the great physicality and tenacity Danny can bring.
Looked all way through as though it has to be excellent pass, touch,shot to get a goal. Had the pass at least twice but then feel short.
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How bloody cruel was that?
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I would imagine their kicking the crap out of Hector at halftime.
Second half we need to be more positive shoot early and leave someone on the edge of the box at corners, so far they have had three uncontested shots after we cleared the initial ball.
Whatever happens COYG.
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Great game of football – we must must must hit the target
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final ball and finishing has let us down big time
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players let wenger down one last time, all talk but when needed they can’t raise their game, a sad end for Arsene.
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What an absolute farce that game. All calls going the home team’s way. Sums up Wenger’s later years at Arsenal; you can match your opponents, but your opponents + the referee is usually too much.
Disappointed with the loss, we should have gone through especially considering the first leg. I will now go and cry myself to sleep.
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Heartbreak. We gave all. Something had to happen on those opportunities we got down side of them, but didn’t seem close any time. Godin always there.
Sometimes you don’t get what you want or need. Ultimately feels very much like their late horrible goal at Emirates decided everything.
Cant say the tension was enjoyable but those are the ultimate games as football fan. Arsene gave us plenty and lets hope we have games that matter that much and are that tense again before too long.
It was a good game.
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I just don’t want to hear anything from any player tonight.
They did not get it done in the game that supposed to mean everything to them.
The new manager is coming .
We will see how many survive
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Ed, really? They gave absolutely everything for me.
If you mean by raise game to deliver unstoppable final ball or take immaculate touch on rare occasions that defence gives you half a sniff then, maybe, I suppose…but what is that down to?
They tried; it was on knife-edge. But you either needed great luck or something fantastic to beat that defence.
It wasn’t to be. Whatever it was that left us vulnerable to such a horrible goal in that situation at Emirates is prob the villain. But even that doesn’t seem to matter.
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No dream finish. I’m feeling sick. But, we do lack that something…
Too many defensive errors, not enough positional awareness, not enough anticipation of where the ball will drop. Everything Athletico has.
Still, I would not wish to watch Athletico every week…
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The lads tried. They did. They just couldn’t achieve that one moment of perfection necessary against a team like Atletico.
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Sometimes the great go out in a blaze of glory, sometimes they go out in controversy, sometimes they spend a fortune and give Mike Riley a call for a favour. Sometimes, things just peter out, that has happened this season. I would argue Wenger deserves better, on here, we desperately wanted better, but it wasn’t to be, still, Wenger has enough to fan the flames of greatness as long as the club exists. Would have been nice but Wenger doesn’t need one last trophy, he has given us so many.
This tie was a microcosm of the season. No lack of effort or ability whatsoever. But there were injuries, players sold who with hindsight could have been useful, costly individual mistakes, at times a lack of discipline, keeper errors, at times a lack of clinical finishing, and the away thing.
Wengers time draws to a close,the same with some players. Things will change dramatically, a new manager, new coaches, new players, maybe tweaking of philosophy, and hopefully, a few less errors. I would guess a brief to let less goals in.
Frustration, but no shame at all in this performance against one of the best defences in the world.
Main thoughts are with Kos at the moment tbh, we have missed him at his best for too much of the season.
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Granit Xhaka the only Arsenal player to get a shot on target against Atlético Madrid tonight. not good enough
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