By Myles Palmer
A win tonight will keep Arsenal’s European season alive, but the calendar has given the game an additional dimension.
Most fans hope Islington will give them planning permission for the new stadium on Monday.
I think Islington should and I firmly believe they will.
But playing Juventus at Highbury six days before that historic decision is announced gives the game an extra resonance.
Every member of Islington Council will be looking at this clash between the best team in the south of England and the biggest team in the north of Italy.
And some of those councillors might think : Arsenal need to win tonight to show us that they deserve the chance to become one of the Champions League big boys. Rather than occasional quarter-finalists.
A friend phoned last night and said, “Arsenal are a momentum team.”
And I said : Yes, that is the main thing that Arsene Wenger’s style of play has in common with George Graham’s style.
George’s momentum came from bionic overlaps by Dixon and Winterburn,from fierce marking and pressing, from long balls to Alan Smith and flick-ons and corners and free-kicks.
His teams often overwhelmed opponents. They would score, crank up the tempo, and score again.
Arsene’s teams often do the same thing, but in much more skilful, stylish ways.
My friend said Pires and Ljungberg have been carrying the team for weeks.
I think that is largely true. And since most of Lippi’s Jiuventus teams have been ferociously physical, I hope Pires and Ljungberg do not get hurt tonight. I hope none of the Arsenal players get hurt tonight.
Juve DO intimidate some opponents, but Arsenal will not be intimidated. They are tough enough to look after themselves against any opposition.
Everyone has reservations about Arsenal’s new back five. They have not played together for long enough. And they have never played a must-win home game against this calibre of opposition.
The good news is that Juventus, for all their energy and power, lack the collective class of Deportivo. They are not as artful.
But the bad news is that Arsenal will find it very hard to break them down.
Lippi says Tudor will start in midfield. Maybe that is disinformation. But maybe he thinks Davids would be sent off, while Tudor might score with a header in a 1-1 draw. And Lippi would like a 1-1 draw.
Football has suddenly become interesting this week, hasn’t it?
Did you see last night’s handsome 3-2 win by Spurs? Bolton were sitting so deep they were defending on the North Circular.
Anderton, given space, had his best game of the season.
If the thirtysomethings can keep it going they could be fourth and in the Champions League next year.
Man United against Boavista?
The nippy little strikers of Boavista gave Liverpool’s defence big problems at Anfield. They led 1-0 until Michael Owen’s late goal.
Will Fergie field the tottering Blanc against such lively strikers?
Sir Alex is a one-man soap opera these days. He was indulged by the press for far too long.
December 4th 2001.