27 Sep 2005: Ajax - Arsenal FC

[Kowalczyk]

Grygera and De Jong in particular.

Don't forgrt Snijder. I think he can win this match for Ajax. Two good shots and bye bye Arsenal ! :yes:

Sneijder is our on-form man, that's absolutely true. But what I'm trying to say is that, in this particular game, he would be easier to replace than the two defensive blokes. You could play with a Galásek, Pienaar, Lindenbergh midfield and Rosales on the right wing -- and there you are.

However, if Nigel de Jong doesn't make it we will have a very serious problem for the right fullback position (Trabelsi's also out). And if Grygera doesn't make it we will probably end up playing with two central defenders (Maduro and Escudé) that are not typical man-markers.

If I could make two guys from the injury list match-fit by snapping my fingers, I would definitely choose Grygera and De Jong.

But Sneijder is one of the guys who can make the difference (read: score a goal) in games like these, that's for sure.

K.

[Per]

Here's the official tip that I'll be sticking by:

Ajax-Arse

1-1.

Scores by Pienaar and Ljungberg.

I also think we are overrating this current Arsenal team. They are in somewhat of a generation gap and lack their former centre-modfield poise. And for this game they also lack some magic upfront.

They will however be able to scare our wuite mediocre defense once but we will be owning the game for most of the time.

A draw is all that we'll get though.

[bluedaddy19]

i actually have a good feeling about this one, but i'd feel even better if wes/grygera/de jong could play

assuming they all won't, will we see 343 again?

[Kowalczyk]

assuming they all won't, will we see 343 again?

That would be suicide...

K.

[English Eagle]

For me i think Ajax will miss the drive that Sneijder brings to the team,& his ability to score goals from midfield.On the plus side Arsenal are doing nothing to dispel the rumour that they are a one man team & are missing Henry big time.Take Bergkamp & Gilberto out of the team as well & in truth is we wont have a better chance of beating them.I'll go for a 1-0 or 2-1. :eusa_pray:

[ZoefdeHaas]

Both Ajax and Arsenal aren't in the greatest position right now, but I'm still confident. I think we can do well without Sneijder even though hes the best we got right now, but the main worry is the defence. Maybe Vermaelen can keep the gap, and Heitinga on the rightback. Or is he suspended?

[GangstaRiB]

assuming they all won't, will we see 343 again?

That would be suicide...

K.

Why would it be? Arsenal plays without Henry and Van Persie. The only forwards I can think of are: Quincy Owusu and Reyes. So 4 defenders against two forwards is a little overdone, isn't it? Grygera shadows Reyes and Emanuelson on Quincy, that way Maduro (latest rumours are he is also injured) or Vermaelen can play offensive. In front of the defense: Galasek, Lindenbergh,Pienaar and Boukahri/Juanfran maybe? Forward from right to left: Babel (Rosales is injured), Charri and Manucharyan.

[bluedaddy19]

assuming they all won't, will we see 343 again?

That would be suicide...

K.

Why would it be? Arsenal plays without Henry and Van Persie. The only forwards I can think of are: Quincy Owusu and Reyes. So 4 defenders against two forwards is a little overdone, isn't it?

they also have lupoli, but i kinda assume they will come out 4411 like you said

[jakobg]

Yeah baby! Swedish TV has chosen Ajax-Arsenal as the Tuesday CL game this time. C'mon now Ajax, it's my first live game this season!!!

:cheer:

[Per]

Yeah baby! Swedish TV has chosen Ajax-Arsenal as the Tuesday CL game this time. C'mon now Ajax, it's my first live game this season!!!

:cheer:

Yeah, I saw that.....just typical. Now they'll probably wait another season before Ajax is on again....and they just had to pick the game I'm coming for.

[roche]

Am I crazy or are we underestimating Quincy? Doesn't anyone think he will be really up for this game? Granted, I only saw him in the U20 tournament but he looked really good and he probably won't be awed of the occasion since he's probably played with most of the Ajax players at some point.

Or am I crazy?

[SE6Ajacied]

Wow, it's 3.15am and I'm up and about and typing this message.

All in a good cause though as I have a 6.15am flight to Amsterdam :headbang:

Come on Ajax, we can do this lot!

[SE6Ajacied]

Latest from the bbc....

"Wenger keeps faith in youngsters

AJAX v ARSENAL

Group B
Date: Tuesday 27 September
Venue: Amsterdam ArenA
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Live coverage on BBC Radio Five Live and this website

Arsene Wenger has every faith his young Gunners can excel when they take on Ajax in the Champions League.

The Gunners will be forced to field a below-strength side with a number of experienced players either injured or unable to travel.

"I am very confident. I have a great belief in the team and will go for the win," said Wenger.

"In my choices, I will give my side the maximum experience I can. The central midfield will be young.

The Gunners lost Brazilian midfielder Gilberto to injury following the goalless draw at West Ham, and are also without Dennis Bergkamp and Philippe Senderos.

With Thierry Henry sidelined and Robin van Persie and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann suspended, it will be a weakened side running out in Amsterdam.

But Wenger firmly believes the likes of Matthew Flamini, Cesc Fabregas, Jose Antonio Reyes and Alexander Hleb have more than enough talent to rise to the challenge.

"I concede that we are not as irresistible going forward as we can be when we have everybody available - but we are looking solid, disciplined, and technically strong with a good spirit."

But there is no doubt Arsenal will once again miss the quality of Henry.

The prolific French forward is currently sidelined with a groin injury and Wenger, who has drafted young Italian striker Arturo Lupoli into a Champions League squad for the first time, admits whoever plays up front is going to feel a weight of expectation.

"That is a little bit the danger with Thierry - he scores every year 25 goals and then is not there," said Wenger. "He is a world-class player and you miss him.

"It is a double effect as well, that the players who come in for him are under immense pressure to be compared with him.

"I feel that it affects sometimes the performance of the younger players.

"His absence is so strong, that it puts extra pressure on the players."

Wenger added: "I believe in this squad and I feel we are on the way up.

"I cannot tell you now we can afford to have a whole year without Thierry Henry, that is not true, it would be a lie.

"But we must be capable with enough quality of being able to cope without him for a while."

If it's any use to anyone it says that there's live radio coverage of the game in English through the bbc website (www.bbc.co.uk and follow the links)

Come on Ajax

[SE6Ajacied]

Following on from above post, website for BBC Radio 5 Live is http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/

If you go straight to that site there's a link on there for live Radio.......enjoy

[ZoefdeHaas]

We got injuries ourselves, so this game will be quite interesting

[paladinby]

Beware of Arsenal's Hleb. He is in good form now. I think Hleb will create most of their chances. Lets hope they will not manage to convert them. :pukey:

[GangstaRiB]

Beware of Arsenal's Hleb. He is in good form now. I think Hleb will create most of their chances. Lets hope they will not manage to convert them. :pukey:

Hleb plays at Arsenal? I followed him a few matches on tv, but in that period he played in Germany (monchen gladbach?). He is indeed a very smart player and I thought that he maybe was an option for Ajax. He is a sort of Sneijder/Pienaar type of player, many fine little passes.

[peter]

He played for Stuttgart, actually. Played a good match against us at the Amsterdam Tournament.

[The Purple Cow]

Guys, am I right in thinking that this game is not sold out? Tickets are still advertised on the Ajax home page.

It's just that I've got a Nigerian mate coming up from London (the one that was at school with Kanu) and he needs a ticket.

[__earth]

I predict a draw. 0 - 0. LOL!

But I do think Ajax has a good chance to win. And yeah! Finally, after four stupid years doing undergraduate studies and unable to watch any Ajax game live, I GET TO WATCH AN AJAX GAME LIVE ON TV TODAY!!!! w00000000000t!!!!!!!!!

*cry* X'C :yes: :eusa_dance:

[SPL]

Without Henry and Bergkamp Arsenal are not half the team and their away form has been poor. In fact their form in Europe is always poor but our form is no better.

As you know my 16 year old is an Arsenal fan . We will be watching the game tonight in different rooms, he wont sit and watch a game on TV with me.

I will be happy with a draw but have a feeling we could nick it.

[Bert]

Let's show that brat what a real team is made of. Pff, bunch of spoiled 16 year olds. :nooo:

Ofcourse I am not mentioning my age in this thread. :hypocrite: :D

[bluedaddy19]

Guys, am I right in thinking that this game is not sold out? Tickets are still advertised on the Ajax home page.

It's just that I've got a Nigerian mate coming up from London (the one that was at school with Kanu) and he needs a ticket.

i believe you can buy at the stadium tonight with a club card... and there are always scalpers right next to the ticket stand

[aveslacker]

Without Henry and Bergkamp Arsenal are not half the team and their away form has been poor. In fact their form in Europe is always poor but our form is no better.

I will be happy with a draw but have a feeling we could nick it.

I agree, and am optimistic about this game. I don't see why Ajax can't win, especially if they put away a chance or two early on.

2-1 or 3-1 is not out of the question (but then again so is 0-1).

[aveslacker]

Win-Draw-Win
MULTIPLE
Ajax 8/5
Draw 11/5
Arsenal 11/8
2005-09-27 19:45:01

FWIW, Ladbrokes' latest quote on this game.