Tuesday 19 February 2008

Arsenal's game against Milan is big, but Birmingham is bigger.....

This may seem strange to some, but I feel that the game against Birmingham on Saturday is bigger than Milan tommorrow night. The Champions League to some is the holy grail. I'm not one of them. It is a fantasic trophy to win, but I would rather see William Gallas lifting the Premiership trophy high above his head than the Champions league.

The run in the Champions League we had in 2006 was special. It lifted us in what was a pretty gloomy season in truth. We were struggling to get into forth place and the Championship League gave us an outlet from the struggle we were facing in the Premiership. It was brilliant to watch as we beat the sides like Juventus and Real Madrid who were expected to wipe the floor with us. In true underdog style we performed brilliantly to make it to Paris.

It was a killer to be defeated in that final. Heartbreaking in fact. To see the side reach the final and be beaten was the WORST moment I've ever had as a Gooner. But the side performed so bravely that I have never felt prouder of my club.

The Champions League is a lottery. The draw can be kind and the thing that you need most is luck. You may be getting a hiding in the game and losing 2-0, but you had a 1-0 victory at home in the first leg, you break away and score in the last minute and bang, your through on away goals. Great and exciting, but in truth you were lucky to go through.

The Premiership is about 38 games against teams who want to beat you so bad it's unbelievable. Your a big scalp and teams raise their game against you that extra 10%. You travel to sides like Derby who have no hope in staying up, but want to beat you because your Arsenal. It's the most difficult trophy to win, anywhere. If your a London club, like Arsenal, it's even more difficult to win. You have several derbies to play in a season at frantic pace.

Thats why I feel Birmingham is bigger. The Premiership is every week. The Champions League is played at various stages of the season. I'm not doubting how prestigious the Champions League is, and to win it would be amazing, but to win the Premiership is even more amazing.

The game tommorrow is big, but Birmingham is bigger. By 2:30 on Saturday afternoon we could 8 points clear of ManUSA. That is special. And of course I want Arsenal to beat Milan tommorrow night, but to be 8 points clear of ManUSA and then see them struggle to a draw at St James Park would be even better.

Keep it Goonerish....................

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are right of course. I too would be more pleased to win the Premier League for all the reasons you have mentioned.

Where the Champion's League is concerned, it's something I would like us to win but a good deal of luck often decides the winner, as you might expect from such a short competition. The Premier League meanwhile runs over thirty-eight games and is a true test of a team's abilities.

The Premier League for me is the more important of the two but nevertheless I'm a greedy sonofabitch and want us to win both. Wenger will go for both and I fully believe we possess one of the truly best teams in Europe and it is not outlandish to suggest we may win it, win both in fact.

northbank said...

Funny how 6 players are back from saturdays injury list!
Think Wenger has just shown what he thinks of the FA cup!

Anonymous said...

Agree with this post. I'd rather win the Premiership, it's harder and I think you could say its a bigger achievement. Thats not too say I wouldn't take the Champions League though.

Anonymous said...

The game against Milan is massive. I want to see Arsenal react with gusto and I think they will.

Anonymous said...

I'd love the double but the league is the most important. It sets the benchmark for the next season, and to go into it as champions is where everyone wants to be at.

Anonymous said...

Good post. Totally agree with its entirety. Feel that the Milan game will bring out of the players. Regarding the Brummie game, to be 8 points clear of United by the time they have kicked off would be a superb advantage. Keep up the great work Wrighty7.